Ridgewood Specialty Care receives Bronze National Quality Award

Ridgewood Specialty Care has been recognized as a 2020 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award for its dedication to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The award is the first of three distinctions possible through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The program honors centers across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

“It is a great honor to be recognized by AHCA/NCAL with a National Quality Award,” said Administrator Kaitlyn Lewis. “Improving the lives of the residents and families we care for every day is what brings us joy.  This award symbolizes the dedication and commitment we have to continued quality care.”

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and 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. Centers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision and mission statements and an assessment of customers’ expectations. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained Examiners review each Bronze application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria. As a recipient of the Bronze - Commitment to Quality Award, Ridgewood may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Silver - Achievement in Quality Award.