Aroostook Health Center earns honors
TAMC’s Aroostook Health Center in Mars Hill has been the recent recipient of several prestigious recognitions, including being one of only four Maine nursing homes to receive a five-star ranking in all categories of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) online Nursing Home Compare Scores.
“Nursing Home Compare bases health inspection ratings on the three most recent comprehensive annual inspections and any inspections due to complaints in the last three years,” said AHC Director Kelly Lundeen, RN. “Nursing Home Compare is a resource for consumers to compare ratings and other information regarding long-term care facilities, including quality of care information, for over 15,000 nursing homes nationwide. Each facility is scored in three areas — health inspections, quality reporting and staffing. Nursing Home Compare compiles the three scores into an aggregate rating. Aroostook Health Center received top scores in each area and a five-star overall rating.”
U.S. News and World Report recently published a listing of all the facilities in Maine and their ranking, indicating that AHC was the only nursing home north of Winthrop and Farmington to receive the highest ranking for their overall performance in health inspections, nurse staffing and quality of medical care. According to the report, 30 percent of all nursing homes in the state received the overall five-star rating.
“It makes me feel proud that we’re being recognized and that not only do we know the kind of work our staff is putting forth and the quality of care we provide, but that CMS is recognizing that, as well,” said Lundeen.
CMS is also recognizing AHC in another way, recently approving the facility as a participant with the newly legislated health care model for the chronically ill, Pioneer ACO (Accountable Care Organization). Previously, Medicare patients had to comply with a three-day rule that required they spend three nights in acute care prior to being approved to go into a skilled nursing facility. AHC’s participation in the Pioneer ACO gives the facility a waiver from that requirement, meaning an ACO provider can refer patients directly to AHC without requiring an inpatient evaluation or prior treatment in an acute care setting.
According to Lundeen, AHC’s five-star rating allowed them to be considered for the Pioneer ACO waiver.
