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VAPHS CLC Now a 5-star Facility

VAPHS CLC Now a 5-star Facility
Quality management specialist Pam Carpenter, left, infection prevention specialist Shelia Cloud-Woods, nurse manager Denise Moon, assistant nurse manager Natasha Kromka, and CLC associate chief nurse Heather Casper sign a banner commemorating the recent five-star rating of the VAPHS CLC. The banner reads “Thanks to our employees! It takes a team of stars to deliver top-quality care to our nation’s Veterans.” (photo credit: Bill George, VA Pittsburgh photographer)
By Nathan Ferraro, Public Affairs Volunteer

The Community Living Center (CLC) at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) is now a five-star facility, VA’s highest rating possible for its nursing homes.

“Veterans should derive a sense of satisfaction, pride and trust” from the five-star rating, said Dr. Stephen Handler, VAPHS associate chief of staff, adding, “Our CLC in Pittsburgh prioritizes quality.” 

VA evaluates its CLCs quarterly or yearly on three main areas: staffing, quality measures and independent survey results. Internal and external survey results contribute to an overall CLC rating of one to five stars. 

The five-star rating confirms for Veterans and their families that VAPHS’s CLC residents are receiving the highest level and best quality care available. Handler said VAPHS intends to maintain the top rating.

 “It will take work to sustain,” said Handler, assuring Veterans that VAPHS staff are committed to doing that work.

To achieve the five-star rating, VAPHS hired data coordinators, designated a quality and patient safety coordinator, implemented a team approach to survey readiness, adjusted care as appropriate based on residents’ feedback, and increased process-improvement initiatives, staff education and nursing hours per patient per day.

Quality management specialist Pam Carpenter leads survey readiness at VAPHS’s CLC. She meets regularly with work groups to assess and brainstorm ways to improve the quality of care provided to CLC residents.

“We strive to give Veterans the best quality care,” she said, noting VA looks at 31 quality measures when rating its CLCs.

Carpenter and Handler said VAPHS prioritizes a multi-disciplinary approach to care; in essence, striving for perfection at every level. 

“We all work and collaborate toward a common goal, and that goal is serving Veterans,” said Handler.

To learn more about VAPHS’s CLC five-star rating:

  1. Visit VA’s Nursing Home Care for Veterans.
  2. In the location box, enter “Pittsburgh” (without quotes) and click the blue “search” icon.
  3. In the results, click “more details” under “Pittsburgh PA CLC.”