Facility receives the Governor’s Award of Excellence for 2016
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center’s Long-Term Care recently received the Governor’s Award of Excellence for its quality care efforts.
The award was announced by MPRO, a Michigan health quality organization, and the office of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. Hospital officials traveled to Lansing on May 10 to pick up the honor.
Long-Term Care Director Renee Cunningham, R.N., said the award criteria involved improving different components of care, care processes and goals, and the education that staff members receive. She praised staff efforts at the 104-bed skilled nursing facility.
“This award reflects quality care and really the relationships that we have with our residents,” she said. “Our entire focus is person-centered care.”
As an Eden facility, the home honors each resident’s individual needs and encourages a home-like culture that involves care plans and goals for residents. As one example of quality care, staff tries to use non-medical interventions for residents struggling with dementia issues.
“We try to keep a low-stimulation environment for them so we don’t have to use drugs,” Cunningham said. “We have a room with music, give them hand massages, and just spend some extra time with them in a calming environment.”
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Administrator and CEO Kevin Rogols said the award reinforces the hospital’s quality efforts and commitment to meeting community needs through a range of programs.
“We’re proud of the care here that our elders in this community receive,” he said. “We appreciate the strong community support and our staff for making this award possible.”
More information on Kalkaska Memorial Health Center’s Long-Term Care can be found at munsonhealthcare.org/kmhclongtermcare.