Lydia Sanchez, admissions director at Wooldridge Place Nursing Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, stepped in to help a new admission process his grief. The resident’s son passed away of cancer just as the resident was preparing to come to Wooldridge Place. The resident’s wife shared about the loss as they filled out the admissions paperwork, and Sanchez was filled with compassion. Though the family could not afford to transport their son’s remains from Houston, Sanchez arranged a memorial service for their son at the facility. On April 14, about 30 family members and friends gathered in the courtyard to pay their respects and remember the son’s life.

Lynn Fransen, activity assistant at Cascade Park Care Center in Vancouver, Wash., found out that a resident on hospice had never had a party in her honor in her whole life. Fransen coordinated a Celebration of Life party using the resident’s favorite color, pink, for the decorations. Pink flowers, balloons and streamers filled the room, and associates dressed in pink and brought the resident gifts. Not only did this gesture make the resident very happy, but it touched the hearts of many associates and residents alike. The party took place on a Friday, and the resident passed away that Sunday.

Heidi Rupp, a licensed practical nurse at Life Care Center of Copper Basin, Tenn., brought a very ill resident her personal blanket. This wasn’t just any blanket, either. It had been prayed over and used during Rupp’s own health crisis. “The resident was very appreciative of the gesture, and it really seemed to help her spirits,” said Miranda Kephart, assistant director of nursing. Rupp also spent extra time with the resident.

“The key to our success has been working together as a team,” said Nancy Foster, executive director at the facility. “The Joint Commission holds facilities to a higher level of care and integrates performance improvement into its standards of compliance. It makes me proud to be able to meet those standards, especially since The Joint Commission survey is voluntary for skilled nursing and rehab facilities, not a requirement like it is for hospitals,” she said.

The survey, which took place Oct. 15 – 16, 2012, reaccredits the facility through Oct.16, 2015.

The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization, is a world leader in evaluating the safety and quality of the services provided by more than 18,000 health care organizations across the United States. The organization’s primary focus is on evaluating facility performance in areas that most affect patient health and safety. The Joint Commission is governed by a board of both health care professionals and consumers.

To earn accreditation, a nursing home or other facility must undergo an extensive on-site review by a Joint Commission team made up of professionals such as physicians, nurses and administrators. The team assesses the facility’s processes, interviews residents and observes associate performance. The survey must be completed at least once every three years for the

facility to maintain accreditation.

When Sanchez heard that a new resident had just learned that his son had passed away, she was very sympathetic. She offered to help with his attendance at the funeral, but found that it was too far away for him to attend. Instead, she asked the resident and his wife if she could arrange a memorial service for their son at the facility. The couple was very touched and accepted her offer.

Sanchez goes above and beyond to help fellow associates, as well. Ami Dalton, 401(k) manager at Life Care Centers of America, was unaware that Sanchez had transferred to Wooldridge Place when she contacted her for help on a project from her previous facility. Despite her transfer, Sanchez was happy to complete the project with Dalton. She took the time to make several phone calls to a family who spoke very little English, communicated steps to them, and even offered to send some of her own family to assist them.

“I have contacted Lydia several times with issues, and she has always been willing to go above and beyond to assist me,” said Dalton. “She is a superb example of providing excellent customer service and is a wonderful representation of Life Care’s Whatever It Takes And Then Some approach.”

On July 5, 2012, she led Wooldridge Place Nursing Center’s dietary department to win the Kitchen Cops 100 award.

The award is presented to kitchens in the area that score a 100 percent in all areas of cleanliness and health code issues. Every week, the Action 10 News Kitchen Cops check health department inspection reports of local eateries. Winners are reported every Monday and Thursday on the local NBC affiliate, KZTV10.

“I have worked at Wooldridge Place Nursing Center for the last 13 years and enjoy providing quality food services to the residents,” said Gonzalez. “I have a great staff and was overjoyed to learn that we had earned a score of 100.”

Gonzalez was also named the Whatever It Takes And Then Some winner at her facility in December 2012. She was recognized for her willingness to step up when the facility’s dietician was not able to work for a few weeks. Gonzalez willingly handled the dietician’s responsibilities while still completing her own job duties. Despite the extra work, she performed both jobs with a positive attitude. Thanks to her hard work, quality and timeliness never suffered.

Gonzalez has served at Wooldridge Place since February 2000.

Rena Cassanova, director of nursing, led 25 associates and their family members during the walk. The team wore bright blue T-shirts with the facility’s logo on the front and this message on the back: “A moment lasts all of a second, but a memory lives on forever.”

“It was a great opportunity for the associates to come together and participate in a community event,” said Mary Adame, marketing director.

Wooldridge Place Nursing Center turned in $650 at the event to further Alzheimer’s research and treatment. Delma Gonzalez, dietary manager, and Cathy Sotello, health information management director, had organized a bake sale, chalupa sale and taco bowl sale at the facility to raise funds for the cause.

By Lester Anderson

My name is Dr. Lester A. Anderson II. In 1974, I graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic and shortly thereafter joined my father in practice in Kingsville, Texas.

This year (2012), I had episodes in which I would fall. The falls were getting closer together and harder for me to get up. In May, I was unable to get up. My wife, Janie Anderson, was also unable to get me up, so she called 911. I went to Spohn Shoreline Hospital for examination and treatment.

It was at Spohn that I learned that I had chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. In short, I was told that my immune system is trying to break down the covering of my nervous system which has begun in my legs.

Treatment consists of IV antiglobulin, steroids and physical therapy. Treatment and physical therapy were initiated at Spohn; however, when that completed, my wife and I made arrangements on July 3 to be transported to Wooldridge Place Nursing Center [in Corpus Christi, Texas], where I have received nothing but the best care, love, encouragement and treatment.

Beginning care at Wooldridge Place, I was paired with Mr. Nehru, physical therapist. Mr. Nehru developed a treatment plan tailored to my body’s need on that given day. It was not a cookie-cutter treatment plan where one fits all. As my body responded to treatment, we continued in that direction. Three or four weeks into my treatment, Wooldridge Place received one of the first anti-gravity treadmills in South Texas.

I’m so excited about this piece of equipment (the AlterG Anti-gravity Treadmill). It began by weighing me. This allowed the physical therapist, Mr. Nehru, to set the machine so that it holds up 80 percent of my body weight, 70 percent, and so on all the way down to zero percent of my body weight. This allows the physical therapist to set the machine so I’m able to exercise my legs in a safe, controlled environment.

In my case the CIDP has weakened my legs, causing my left knee to buckle without warning. By using the AlterG, I am able to strengthen my legs by doing my squats and other exercises in a controlled environment without my left knee buckling.

I truly believe that Wooldridge Place’s anti-gravity treadmill is medically necessary in my case and can be used in other cases as well.

In closing, I can say that upon arriving at Wooldridge Place, I could not walk because I had lost much of my function to my legs. But with God’s blessing, the power of prayer, the love and encouragement of the Wooldridge staff, the use of the AlterG, muscle stimulation, exercise and hard work, I have continued to improve along my life’s journey.

The award highlights facilities across the nation that have demonstrated their intention to pursue a rigorous quality improvement system. It is the first of three tiers of recognition by the AHCA and NCAL and requires a detailed application process submitted to a board of examiners for review.

“Each one of the award recipients has proven its dedication to improving lives through quality care, and it is a privilege to honor them with this year’s award,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “We congratulate Wooldridge Place Nursing Center on this achievement.”

Nancy Foster, executive director at Wooldridge Place, shared, “This is a great honor for our entire team. We were able to achieve this by teamwork!”

To apply for the award, facilities must give specific examples of how they have improved resident care in recent months. Wooldridge Place Nursing Center shared about its successful implementation of The Joint Commission’s hand-washing project, “Wash In, Wash Out.” This involved installing foam hand sanitizers in every resident room and in the building’s common areas. The infection rate dropped significantly as a result.

The Bronze National Quality Award will be presented formally during AHCA/NCAL’s 63rd Annual Convention and Exposition, Oct. 7 – 10, 2012, in Tampa, Fla.

“The associates of the facilities in Life Care Centers of America have a never-ending quest for performance excellence,” said Beecher Hunter, Life Care president. “We are always looking for ways to improve the services we provide to the men and women entrusted to our care, and we can never be satisfied with each new level we achieve. One example is the attainment of accreditation by The Joint Commission, the gold seal of approval in our profession, of all of our eligible buildings – the only company of our size to do so. These National Quality Awards presented by the American Health Care Association provide assurance to our residents, families and the public at large of our commitment to the mission of care and compassion we have chosen.”

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award program assists providers of long-term and post-acute care services in achieving their performance excellence goals.

After reading reports of patient abuse in nursing homes, I want to share my positive experience at one of these facilities.

Having had major surgery with very serious complications, I slipped into a coma for almost seven weeks. Waking up, I realized I had lost complete use of my legs and arms, and my whole body was in bad condition. I could not speak or even hold a pen in my hands.

I was transferred from CHRISTUS Spohn-Shoreline to Wooldridge Place Nursing Center, where I spent the next 100 days. From the very first moment I entered that center, I was treated with nothing but respect and kindness.

I was immediately put on daily physical therapy. I had the hardest fight of my life trying to bring my body back to normal.

The men and women at the rehab center were my angels dressed in maroon.

With their gentle firmness and encouragement I slowly became stronger. Never did any of these therapists give up on me.

Again, I say these men and women at Wooldridge Place Nursing Center were truly my angels of mercy.

“It is an unbelievable honor to have our name mentioned in this special edition of a national magazine,” said Nancy Foster, senior executive director of the facility.

Winning facilities were chosen for their ratings through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – each one is listed as a five-star facility. CMS calculates the ratings based on results of health inspections, staffing and quality measures.

“We have a fantastic team here at Wooldridge,” said Foster. “We all have the same goal, and that is to provide the best care possible to our residents. We want to exceed their expectations.”

Wooldridge Place Nursing Center is one of 28 Life Care Centers of America facilities nationwide and three Life Care buildings in Texas included on the 2012 Best Nursing Homes list.