Two Long Term Care Facilities Earn Top Distinction in Quality Care

Washington, D.C. –  The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has announced that two long term care facilities have earned the 2021 Gold – Excellence in Quality award for superior performance in long term care. Representing the best in the nation, the award is the final step in three progressive levels of awards through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program recognizes organizations that meet rigorous standards and serve as models of excellence in providing high-quality care. 

This year’s Gold – Excellence in Quality Award recipients are:

“These facilities’ unparalleled determination to reach Gold despite the overwhelming obstacles of the pandemic is absolutely inspiring.” said AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson. “Their hard work and achievement deserve to be recognized and celebrated.” 

Since the inception of the program in 1996, only 49 long term providers have achieved this level of recognition.

Earning the Gold - Excellence in Quality Award requires a long term care facility to achieve both the Bronze - Commitment to Quality and Silver - Achievement in Quality awards prior to moving to the Gold level—an accomplishment that takes several years. Applicants adhere to the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, an organization management improvement tool that focuses on key areas, including leadership, customer and workforce satisfaction, strategic planning and more.

“These providers have demonstrated exceptional performance and care outcomes for their residents and staff that makes them the best in the nation,” said the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers Chair Tammy Kelly. “Reaching this milestone takes years of hard work and unflinching commitment to the improvement process. This year’s recipients are role models to us all.”

At the first and second levels of the program, more than 300 facilities were named, with 246 providers achieving a Bronze - Commitment to Quality award in 42 states and 64 reaching the more challenging Silver - Achievement in Quality award in 28 states.

A list of all recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website. 

The 2021 program is sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: HealthCap, NRC Health, First Quality, and MatrixCare. 

Recipients will be honored during AHCA/NCAL’s 72nd Convention & Expo, October 10-13, in in National Harbor, Maryland.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers, and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahcancal.org.