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Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Cedarbrook Maintains 5-Star Rating From Feds

Cedarbrook, Lehigh County's nursing home, has usually received a four-star rating from The Center for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS). But that started changing in July, not long after Good Shepherd took over as Administrator. The rating went from four to five stars, the highest a nursing home can achieve. Lehigh County has just issued a news release claiming that the nursing home has kept this rating in the 2017 third quarter ratings for nursing home facilities.

Lehigh County is also claiming that the nursing home has now achieved four out of five stars on both quality measures and registered nurse staffing.The CMC website fails to support Lehigh County's assertion, but cautions an update might be needed.

“I want to commend and recognize the hard work and commitment of the Cedarbrook staff," said Lehigh County Executive Philips Armstrong. "Their everyday efforts, from caring for residents and running the facility are the reason we’ve been rewarded with this distinction,”

“Quality measures and nurse staffing are important factors for people to consider when selecting a nursing home," said Cedarbrook Administrator Joseph Shadid, RN, MSN, MBA, NHA. "They indicate how well we meet the clinical needs of our patients and demonstrate how attentive and responsive our nursing staff is to our residents."

Shadid added that given Cedarbrook’s volume of residents and the significant number of occupants being treated for dementia, the new rating is extremely remarkable. A higher number of residents, including those with more severe conditions often means a more demanding environment for staff.

Cedarbrook currently has 670 beds across two campuses where 236 residents suffer from advanced dementia. Northampton County's Gracedale has about the same census.

Gracedale's rating had dropped from four starts to just one star last year after a resident attempted to commit suicide. It climbed back up to three stars in August, and the latest online rating still shows a three-star rating. Its rating on staffing is three stars (average) and its quality measures grade is just two stars (below average).

Before he was Executive, Lamont McClure was very disturbed by the nosedive, and has vowed to turn things around.
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7 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2018 at 3:56 AM

    Talk is cheap! Show us some progress and the green on Gracedale! Boot Premiere management firm and follow Cedarbrooks lead! New Norco council and exec dragging feet!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bernie O'HareJanuary 23, 2018 at 4:11 AM

    Right. Just took the oath and they’re dragging feet? You are obviously a Brownie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2018 at 1:15 PM

      Not a Brownie at all. Maybe impatient but bold leadership needed.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2018 at 5:16 AM

    Council meets Twice a month. That’s it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2018 at 8:43 AM

    Well with the big raises I am sure the Gracedale staff will be getting the rating will go up right? We saved G-dale for the elderly and all I see from the family of the elderly to the staff is one big circle money grabbing-

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2018 at 5:50 PM

    Bernie, looks like a fine young lady that was lucky to make it to bingo night. She was just a little pissed that someone tried divert her winnings to buy a popKoRn machine.

    She also hates dieting because someoneelse needs too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownJanuary 28, 2018 at 11:24 AM

    Elder-care is an issue that is a growing concern that many in society are overlooking. I applaud both counties for not abandoning our elderly community. Though striving for excellence should always be at heart, let's not loose sight of the unfolding crisis being presented by the increased baby boomer population and the pressure being placed on a already stressed health-care system.

    No time to fight, it's time to wake everyone up!!!
    Lou Czechowski RPh BCGP

    ReplyDelete

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