February 04, 2010

Westwing Place Named One Of  America's Best Nursing Homes

DEWITT, Iowa - Westwing Place at Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt is the only nursing home in the region to be ranked as one of America's Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News & World Report. Westwing Place, a 77-bed facility attached to Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, was one of 173 nursing homes across the country recognized as America's Best in the February issue of U.S News & World Report.

The U.S. News rankings rely on Nursing Home Compare, a program of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS analyzes information on all homes enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid and gives them ratings of one to five stars for overall quality and one to five stars in each of three areas: health inspections, nurse staffing and measures of care.

Westwing received a 5-star overall rating from CMS and earned 14 of a possible 15 stars in on-site inspections, nursing staffing and quality measures.

Nursing homes needed to earn a 5-star overall ratings and at least 14 stars in the three areas combined to be recognized as one of America's Best Nursing Homes.

A total of six nursing homes in Iowa were ranked among America's Best Nursing Homes.

"One of the main reasons for the high quality care at Westwing is our dedicated staff. If your staff takes pride in the job they do and the care they provide, that is going to make a difference in many areas of quality,'' said De Schmidt, Director of Nursing, Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt. "Our staff truly considers the residents to be their family and they treat the residents that way.''

Jeff Cooper, President of Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, added: "Over the past decade, we have looked for ways to improve our care and the home-like environment for the residents. Credit for this achievement also goes to the management team at Westwing.

"I've worked with De Schmidt over the years to recruit and build an outstanding management team. Their hard work and expertise in long-term care management are clearly evidenced by this achievement."

Westwing Place is a certified Eden Alternative Facility. Eden recognizes care facilities for preventing loneliness, helplessness and boredom by creating a vibrant habitat for seniors. Eden facilities use an enlivened environment with opportunities for residents to care for companion animals, children and plants.

Westwing Place is currently undergoing a $1 million renovation.

The renovation will transform the resident rooms and will include new flooring, slip-resistant tile in the restrooms, new window treatments, energy-efficient lighting, improved accessiblilty for sinks and toilets, energy-efficient windows, and, new cabinetry.

For more information about America's Best Nursing Homes, go to www.usnews.com/nursinghomes.

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