Washington, D.C. – Two skilled nursing care centers have been recognized with the 2024
Gold – Excellence in Quality Award by the American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). This award is the final step in three progressive levels of awards through the
AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, a criteria-based award program that recognizes organizations that meet rigorous standards and serve as models of excellence in providing high-quality care. These organizations represent the best in the nation for quality and performance.
This year’s Gold – Excellence in Quality Award recipients are:
- Lofland Park Center in Seaford, Delaware; and
- Libby Care Center of Cascadia in Libby, Montana.
“The remarkable achievements of these centers exemplify the pinnacle of dedication and innovation in our field,” said Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Their success not only highlights the resilience and perseverance of our members but also reaffirms our mission to elevate care standards across the nation."
Libby Care Center of Cascadia previously earned the 2022 Bronze award and 2023 Silver award. Lofland Park Center previously earned the 2016 Bronze award and 2017 Silver award.
Centers earning the Gold award have better
quality metrics and survey satisfaction than the rest of the nation. Since the inception of the program in 1996, 53 long term and post-acute care providers have achieved this level of recognition.
Earning the
Gold - Excellence in Quality Award requires an organization to first achieve the
Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award, followed by the
Silver - Achievement in Quality Award.
The National Quality Award Program is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology's
Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, the nation's only public-private partnership dedicated to improving the performance, resilience, and long-term success of U.S. businesses and other organizations. To achieve recognition, applicants must demonstrate how they reflect the core values and criteria of the Baldrige criteria in key management areas, such as leadership, customer and workforce satisfaction, strategic planning, and more.
"Reaching the Gold level is an extraordinary milestone that reflects the exceptional dedication and hard work of these providers,” said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair. “It is a moment of great pride and joy as we celebrate these honorees for their remarkable achievements in providing the highest standards of care and services."
In 2024, more than 800 organizations are award recipients of the first and second levels of the program, with 700 providers achieving a Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award and 139 reaching the more advanced Silver - Achievement in Quality Award.
A list of all 2024 recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award
website.
The National Quality Awards will be presented during
Delivering Solutions 24, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 6-9, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.
The 2024 National Quality Award Program is sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: PharMerica, Prevail by First Quality, SnapCare, HealthCap, and MatrixCare.