Oak Crest Extended Care Neighborhood Wins National Committed to Excellence Award

PARKVILLE, MD---The extended care neighborhood at Oak Crest retirement community earned a 2012 Committed to Excellence Award from the Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, Inc., a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to health and person-centered care.
The presentation was made on January 24th during an awards luncheon at the Maritime Institute in Baltimore.
The recognition was received for "achieving excellence in the reduction of physical restraints" in the extended care neighborhood.   For an entire calendar year, no such means were utilized by the medical professionals there.
The extended care neighborhood at Oak Crest provides assisted living, respite care, post-acute rehabilitation & nursing care and outpatient rehabilitation services.  The retirement community also features independent living neighborhoods of 1,524 residences.
"Our team is very proud of this achievement for its positive impact on the quality of life for residents with higher level of care needs and their families," stated Matt Rosewag, Director of Extended Care at Oak Crest.  "By taking proactive steps to eliminate restraint use, our commitment to person-centered care is maximized."
Pamela Spry, RN, BSN, CIC, is the quality assurance nurse.  She noted the team approach to achieving positive medical outcomes.
"We place high value on interdisciplinary training between our nursing, physician, rehabilitation, programming and social work teams," described Ms. Spry.  "Studies link the use of restraints in extended care to depression and lack of socialization.  But our collaborative approach creates a culture of greater independence. "
Delmarva Foundation, a subsidiary of Quality Health Strategies, is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health quality.  Delmarva Foundation provides services and consultative resources to ensure everyone receives safe, effective, efficient, equitable, timely and person-centered care.  A team of experienced experts works with leaders and innovators in quality improvement to define strategies and actions to meet goals. 
More information can be found at www.delmarvafoundation.org.

PHOTO CAPTION: Employees of the extended care neighborhood at Oak Crest gather to celebrate national recognition earned by the Delmarva Foundation.  The non-profit organization honored Oak Crest with a 2012 Committed to Excellence Award.
About Oak Crest: Oak Crest, managed and developed by Erickson Living, is a retirement community that provides worry-free living for America's seniors-the country's fastest growing population segment.  Erickson Living's financial value and predictable monthly service fees provide residents across the country financial peace of mind.  Comprehensive health and wellness services, integrated into our continuum of care, lead to demonstrated resident benefits.  A robust complement of resident programs and facilities promote an engaged, fulfilling lifestyle that is reflected in resident satisfaction levels that exceed the industry average.  For more information, please visit www.ericksonliving.com.

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