Three Genesis HealthCare Centers Receive Prestigious National Award for Providing High-Quality Long-Term Care

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa., July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesis HealthCare, one of the nation's largest providers of skilled nursing and rehabilitation, today announced that three of its Centers have been recognized as 2012 recipients of the Silver – Achievement in Quality presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The award highlights select facilities across the nation that serve as models of excellence in providing high-quality long-term care.

Genesis Centers receiving the Silver honor include:

• Kimberly Hall South, Windsor, CT
• Lebanon Center, Lebanon, NH
• Springbrook Center, Westbrook, ME

"This award is a benchmark of distinction in the journey to providing high quality care," said Governor Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. "The long term and post-acute care community applauds the Genesis HealthCare centers on this great achievement."

In an indication of a strengthening commitment to quality care in skilled nursing and post-acute care centers, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program saw success rates of applicants for the Silver award double from 8% to 17%. The Genesis centers were 3 of only 52 facilities nationwide to receive the Silver-level award this year.

"It is a tremendous honor for these three centers to achieve this distinction," notes Chief Executive Officer George V. Hager, Jr.  "The award recognizes the exceptional dedication and quality care that the employees of these centers provide to our patients every day."

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. The program assists providers of long-term and post-acute care services in achieving their performance excellence goals.

The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Facilities begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level and must receive an award at each level before proceeding to the next.  As recipients of the Silver – Achievement in Quality award, these Genesis centers have demonstrated systematic advancements in quality, plans for continual improvement, and sustainable organizational goals.  These centers may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Gold – Excellence in Quality award, which requires them to address the Baldrige Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence in its entirety.

"Receiving this award is evidence of the staff commitment and successful leadership at these three Genesis centers and their ability to apply rigorous standards to operation and service," says Chick Stepahin, Chair, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers. "These Genesis centers have been consistent in their performance and dedication to providing high quality care."

The awards are sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Member My InnerView, a Web-based applied research and quality-management company that supports leaders across the entire assisted living, senior housing and skilled nursing profession with tools to measure, benchmark and improve performance. These awards will be presented during AHCA/NCAL's 63rd Annual Convention and Exposition, October 7-10, 2012 in Tampa, Florida.

Genesis HealthCare is dedicated to improving the lives we touch through the delivery of high-quality healthcare and everyday compassion.

About Genesis HealthCare
Genesis HealthCare is one of the nation's largest long term care providers with over 200 skilled nursing centers and assisted living residences in 13 eastern states. Genesis also supplies rehabilitation therapy to over 1,100 healthcare providers in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Visit our website at www.genesishcc.com.

CONTACT: Jeanne Moore, +1-484-949-5647

SOURCE Genesis HealthCare