The Pittsburgh VA Community Living Center (CLC) has earned a five-star rating, the highest possible from the VA for its nursing homes. This rating is based on evaluations of staffing, quality measures, and both internal and external survey results, confirming that the CLC provides top-tier care for Veterans.
Dr. Stephen Handler, associate chief of staff, expressed that the rating should instill pride and trust in Veterans and their families, emphasizing that maintaining this level of care will require ongoing effort. Staff members celebrated the achievement by signing a banner that acknowledges the collective effort needed to deliver exceptional care to Veterans.
To reach this five-star status, Pittsburgh VA implemented several initiatives, including hiring data coordinators, appointing a quality and patient safety coordinator, enhancing survey readiness, adapting care based on resident feedback, and increasing process improvements, staff education, and nursing hours per patient.
Pam Carpenter, a quality management specialist, leads the charge in survey readiness, regularly meeting with teams to enhance care quality. Both Carpenter and Handler highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to achieving the CLC’s common goal: serving Veterans with the highest quality care.
