Dothan, Ala.—Westside Terrace Healthcare has been recognized as a 2018 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The facility is one of just nine facilities in Alabama to receive this recognition. The distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the leading association for long-term and post-acute care.

The program honors association members across the country that have demonstrated their dedication to improving quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities. This year, the organizations awarded 521 long-term and post-acute care providers in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Dating back to 2004, there are 34 active Bronze award recipients in Alabama.

“It’s tremendous to be honored on a national level for our commitment to care and to know that our efforts are helping our residents live better lives,” Administrator Kristie Hughes said.

The National Quality Award Program, established by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, is based on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which also serves as the foundation for the metric-based AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative. The Baldrige framework helps organizations among different business sectors improve organizational effectiveness and achieve strategy-driven performance.

The Award Program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision, mission statement, and key strengths and challenges. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Examiners review each Bronze application to determine if the facility has met the demands of the criteria. As a recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award, Westside Terrace may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award criteria.

“I applaud Westside Terrace for taking this important step towards quality improvement,” said the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers Chair Alana Wolfe. “I encourage Westside Terrace to continue on its path to achieving superior outcomes.”

The awards will be presented during AHCA/NCAL’s 69th Annual Convention and Exposition in San Diego, California, October 7-10, 2018.