SIKESTON - Hunter Acres Caring Center was designated gold status in the Primaris Quality Partner program. Only 38 Missouri nursing homes - less than 7 percent of all facilities in the state - were named a gold partner, which is the highest level of recognition given in the program.
The distinction is given to health care organizations that participate in the Nursing Home Quality Initiative sponsored nationally by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As a gold partner, Hunter Acres Caring Center showed significant improvement in baseline scores on at least one NHQI measure and is currently performing better than the state and national averages.
"By partnering with Primaris on the Nursing Home Quality Initiative, we are expanding our knowledge and resources to achieve greater, more immediate improvements in our services," said Nancy Driskill, RN and administrator. "As a provider of long term care in Scott County we are committed to providing the best care for our residents."
As part of the initiative, CMS has released date (through Nursing Home Compare) that give seniors and their families comparative information about the quality of care in nursing homes. Consumers can compare nursing home quality by visiting Medicare's website at www.medicare.gov and clicking on Nursing Home Compare, or by calling 1-800-633-4227. Also Driskill encourages residents and family members to discuss these measures or other concerns about quality of care with the staff at Hunter Acres.
"Our mission has always been about providing the best care possible to our residents," said Driskill. "We are excited to work on bringing quality of care to a new level. Our facility is honored to be a gold partners and looks forward to continuing this partnership in 2005."
Hunter Acres Care Center is located at North West Street and Wakefield Avenue.