Hawaii Skilled Nursing Facilities Successfully Improving Quality Care
HAH celebrates member providers reaching national quality goals

News Release from HAH November 22, 2013

The Healthcare Association of Hawaii (HAH) praised a select group of local, long term care member providers for their achievement in reaching national quality goals set by its national association, the American Health Care Association (AHCA).

Nineteen of Hawaii’s skilled nursing facilities met or exceeded at least one of four goals in the initial year of the AHCA Quality Initiative, a national effort focused on reducing hospital readmissions, nursing staff turnover and antipsychotic medications, as well as increasing customer satisfaction.

“Skilled nursing facilities across Hawaii are focused on improving quality, but these providers have demonstrated an unparalleled commitment by meeting our goals well ahead of schedule,” said George W. Greene, president and CEO of HAH. “These member facilities are setting the example for the rest of the state and the country on how to ensure person-centered care for our seniors and individuals with disabilities.”

Announced in February 2012, the AHCA Quality Initiative aims to further improve the lives of individuals receiving care in skilled nursing facilities by setting measurable goals in four, key areas of quality of care:

• Safely reduce hospital readmissions within 30 days during a skilled nursing stay by 15 percent by March 2015
• Increase staff stability by reducing nursing staff turnover by 15 percent by March 2015
• Increase customer satisfaction by having 90 percent of residents and families willing to recommend their center to others by March 2015
• Safely reduce the off-label use of antipsychotics by 15 percent by the end of 2013

Even with deadlines yet to be reached, many HAH members are already achieving these goals.

In the Quality Initiative’s initial year, 11 member facilities safely reduced hospital readmissions; 10 member facilities increased staff stability; and 14 safely reduced antipsychotic medications in accordance with the initiative’s goals.

A number of HAH member facilities also accomplished multiple Quality Initiative goals at once, with four achieving at least three goals and nine reaching two.

Hawaii facilities publicly recognized for achievements in this initiative are (on Oahu unless otherwise indicated):

• Ann Pearl Nursing Facility
• Crawford’s Convalescent Home
• Hale Anuenue Restorative Care (Hawaii Island)
• Hale Makua – Kahului (Maui)
• Hale Makua – Wailuku (Maui)
• Hale Nani Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
• Hilo Medical Center (Hawaii Island)
• Ka Punawai Ola
• Kona Community Hospital (Hawaii Island)
• Kuakini Geriatric Care
• Leahi Hospital
• Life Care Center of Hilo (Hawaii Island)
• Liliha Healthcare Center
• Maluhia
• Nuuanu Hale
• Oahu Care Facility
• Pearl City Nursing Home
• The Queen’s Medical Center
• Wahiawa General Hospital

HAH members that achieved any of the goals of the Quality Initiative were identified through AHCA’s Quality Initiative Recognition Program.

Member facilities had to submit staff turnover data and customer satisfaction results to AHCA, while the national association analyzed Minimum Data Set (MDS) data on hospital readmissions and antipsychotics for members.

Hawaii’s achievers, as well as other achievers from across the country, will be honored at AHCA’s upcoming Quality Symposium, taking place Feb. 10-12, 2014, in New Orleans.

LINK: Quality Initiative