Rome Memorial nursing 5-star

Residential Health Care Facility: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awards top marks

ROME, N.Y. » Rome Memorial Hospital’s Residential Health Care Facility (RHCF) has earned the highest 5-star rating fromthe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Compare.

The RHCF is one of only 29 percent of skilled nursing facilities nationally to receive an overall rating of 5-stars, which takes into consideration the facility’s performance on health inspections, staffing levels and quality of resident care measures.

The RHCF, an 80-bed skilled nursing facility which is located on the hospital’s third floor, provides long-term care, as well as short-term rehab and respite care programs.

The RHCF has also been recognized as a top performing nursing home by the New York State Department of Health. The RHCF is the only facility in Oneida County to be ranked among the top 20 percent of nursing homes statewide through the Nursing Home Quality Initiative (NHQI) for four consecutive years. The NHQI is an annual quality and performance evaluation project to improve the quality of care for residents in Medicaid-certified nursing facilities across New York State.

“Our staff takes great pride in providing exceptional care with compassion,” said RHCF Administrator Wendy Goetz. “Everyone from nurses, housekeepers, activities specialists, and administration play a part in achieving excellence andmaking this a special place for our residents.”

According to Goetz, the facility’s resident-centered care philosophy is one important factor in creating a high quality residential health care environment. Rather than being treated as a group, residents are individually supported in achieving their optimal level of physical, mental and psychosocial well-being.

“At the RHCF, our resident- centered care philosophy plays a major part in our facility’s success,” Goetz said. “Through Person Centered Care, we have created a nurturing culture that empowers residents, promotes purpose and meaning, and supports well-being for individuals in a relationship based, home environment.”

With its specialized Senior Behavioral Health Unit and Residential Health Care Facility, the hospital has become recognized as a valuable resource for senior services. The hospital has earned special designation as a NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) facility for implementing a discipline of care that recognizes the unique needs of patients and residents at every stage of life.

For more information about the Residential Health Care Facility at Rome Memorial Hospital, call 315338-7305.

PHOTO COURTESY ROME MEMORIAL HOSPITAL When she broke her leg and had to have surgery, Denise Hanna needed the personalized care that the Short-Term Rehabilitation Unit at the Residential Health Care Facility (RHCF) at Rome Memorial Hospital provides. When the RHCF staff found out that...