Barton Skilled Nursing Facility earns national award for quality care

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — Barton Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility recently received the highest rating of five-stars from U.S. News and World Report in the publication's best nursing homes list for 2013.

The five-star rating is based on overall nursing home quality, as well as on the average number of hours nursing staff spends with the patients per-day. The competitive award highlights select facilities across the nation that serve as models of excellence in providing high-quality long-term care.

“We are extremely proud of the work our care team has accomplished to achieve this prestigious honor,” said Malinda Brogna, Director of Skilled Nursing. “Our first goal is to provide safe and individualized care to the elders who live in the Skilled Nursing Facility. We strive to give them the quality of life and level of dignity they deserve,” Brogna added.

In conjunction with the recent rating from U.S. News & World Reports, the facility has also been rated a five-star facility by the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). CMS ratings are based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures.

In addition to the 48-bed long-term care facility, Barton’s Skilled Nursing recently enhanced its program to feature a rehabilitation component designed to provide patients with 24-hour in-patient nursing care and/or physical/occupational therapy to help them regain optimal level of functioning. Barton’s individualized rehabilitation care is designed for people who are being discharged from an acute care hospital, but still require assistance that cannot be provided at home.

“We are honored that Barton has been recognized as being among the nation’s best senior care facilities,” said John Williams, President and CEO of Barton Health. “We are proud to stand with the leaders and staff of Barton in pursuit of our vision for excellence, and extend to them our congratulations on this outstanding achievement.”

For additional information, visit Barton Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation at bartonhealth.org or call (530) 543-5658.