Quality Is Paramount for AMDA Award Winners

Abstract

The pursuit and assessment of quality was a common theme throughout AMDA Long Term Care Medicine—2014. At the Feb. 28 General Session, AMDA recognized innovators who have been at the cutting edge of successful quality improvement efforts. AMDA Foundation Chair Daniel Swagerty, MD, MPH, CMD, associate director of the University of Kansas, Kansas City, Landon Center on Aging emphasized the importance of recognizing quality improvement initiatives. “Your foundation has, as a central goal, helping you enrich the lives of the residents and facilities you serve,” he told the audience. “Quality improvement is an essential component of this.” He went on to announce recipients of the AMDA Foundation Quality Improvement and Health Outcomes Awards. Introduced in 2012, this award is designed to showcase projects that nursing facilities have implemented to improve the quality of life for nursing home residents. Dr. Swagerty presented awards to three recipients: ▸Marian McNamara, RN, MSN, associate director of nursing at Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home in Staten Island, NY, for “Reduction of Antipsychotic Medication in the Long Term Care Dementia Population Utilizing Novel Non-Pharmacological Approaches.”▸Karen Zagrocki, DNP, CRNP, nurse practitioner at John J. Kane Regional Center–Scott Township in Pittsburgh, for “Effects of Advanced Care Discussion in Patient Care Conferences at a Long-Term Care Facility.”▸Saka Kazeem, MD, CMD, medical director at Centerlight Health System's Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in New York City, for “Skilled Nursing Facility: The New ‘Med Surg.' An Integrated Approach in Reducing Hospitalizations Through Value-Based Healthcare.” Ms. McNamara said, “We are so thrilled to be recognized nationally for our work. We want to share our successes so that they can be replicated around the country.” By implementing a multifaceted, personalized approach to behavioral management, she said, “we have given our residents a better quality of life and engaged families more. It's a wonderful feeling to share with our peers and get their feedback.” At the General Session on March 1, Dr. Swagerty announced recipients of the William Dodd Founder's Award and the James Pattee Award for Excellence in Education. The Dodd Award went to Jeffrey Burl, MD, CMD, director of Reliant Medical Group's Division of Geriatrics in Worcester, MA, and director of the clinic's nursing home and geriatric–nurse practitioner program. He also is medical director of Masonic Health Care Systems. Dr. Burl said that the award is a justification for his efforts. He came to be a medical director serendipitously and soon came to love it, thanks in part to AMDA. “I heard about AMDA, and it was like drinking the Kool-Aid.” Through AMDA, he said, “I got to meet all of you, who appreciate the value of caring for our frail elderly.” Heidi White, MD, CMD, received the James Pattee Award. She is associate professor of medicine at the Duke University School of Medicine and vice chief for clinical affairs in the Duke department of medicine, geriatrics division in Durham, NC. Additionally, Dr. White is medical director of Croasdaile Village Retirement Community, also in Durham. Accepting the award, Dr. White said, “I consider my contributions to AMDA to be behind the scenes, but all of this work, particularly my involvement with the Futures Program, has been very rewarding.” She observed, “Everything is possible through team efforts and collaboration. Thanks to all of my teammates.”