Sitka Long-Term Care and Wrangell Medical Center Long-Term Care, each a part of the SouthEast Alaska Regional Healthcare Consortium (SEARHC), received three Gold Pan awards between them from Mountain Pacific Quality Health (MPQH) during the annual Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association conference in Girdwood on September 26. Sitka Long-Term Care took home the Quality Achievement Award while Wrangell Medical Center Long-Term Care claimed the Quality Excellence Award and, for the second year in a row, the Most Improved Award.
Both facilities were grateful for the honors
“These two awards are evidence of the commitment to exceptional, quality service made by the Wrangell Long-Term Care staff,” said Leatha Merculieff, SEARHC Vice President and Wrangell Medical Center Administrator. “Our residents deserve the highest level of care possible and Wrangell Medical Center staff has delivered in service worthy of the most prestigious Gold Pan. By being named the most improved nursing home for the second year in a row, it’s clear our Long-Term Care staff is making the effort to constantly improve in all areas of service.”
Wrangell Medical Center was honored with the Quality Excellence Award for meeting the MPQH composite score requirements between seven and 12 times last year. By registering the largest decrease in overall composite score, Wrangell Medical Center’s Long-Term Care was once again named Most Improved.
Kay Turner, Sitka Long-Term Care Administrator, also weighed in about her facility’s award, which came after it met the MPQH composite score requirements between one and six times last year. Wrangell Medical Center Long-Term Care met those requirements between seven and twelve times in the same timeframe.
“We have an extremely skilled and caring staff working hard to improve the lives of our residents,” Turner said. “We are excited with this recognition as it demonstrates our commitment to each and every resident. We at Sitka Long-Term Care strive to meet our highest potential and ensure that our resident’s needs, goals and preferences are met.”
Both facilities also won the Quality Achievement Award in 2017.
Long-Term Care
Some people are lucky. When they suffer a medical mishap or need some kind of care or treatment, it’s in and out of the hospital for these folks. For those who need continuing attention, though – sometimes elderly, chronically-ill, or more seriously-injured people – long-term care can be a good solution.
Long-term care provides ongoing, specialized coverage, helping some of the most vulnerable members of society. It can be about everything from rehabilitation to beauty services to watching television.
Below are more in-depth descriptions for what the Sitka and Wrangell long-term facilities provide.
Sitka Long-Term Care
Services and amenities include:
- 24-hour nursing provided by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants;
- Comprehensive care plans for residents and teams of caregivers who help guide those plans;
- A rehabilitation department that includes physical, occupational and speech therapy.
The facility is located at 209 Moller Avenue in Sitka and can be reached via telephone by calling 907.747.3241.
Wrangell Medical Center Long-Term Care
Numerous services available, including:
- A physician on-call and a registered nurse on duty at all times day or night;
- Certified nursing assistants providing physical care every day, with rehabilitation services and other specialists also on-site;
- A rehabilitation department that includes physical, occupational and speech therapy.
The medical center is located at 310 Bennett Street in Wrangell and can be reached via telephone by calling 907.874.7000.