AHCA/NCAL Opens National Quality Award Portal
Patrick Connole
9/17/2020
The American
Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has
opened its National Quality Award Program portal, allowing provider applicants
to submit their Intent to Apply and to submit applications in the portal.
The association said it hopes that providers will consider applying for the award,
noting that participating in the program has many benefits, such as:
--It
provides a proven framework that organizations can use to make improvements in
any clinical, quality, or other operational function (staff engagement,
customer satisfaction, hospital readmissions).
--It
prepares organizations to meet regulatory requirements and navigate a changing
market.
--It serves
as a team-building activity to engage staff across all levels of the
organization.
--Organizations
gain external recognition, serving as a marketing resource for consumers,
referral sources, and other key stakeholders.
--Participants
receive customized feedback with their top strengths and improvement areas.
Those
interested can visit the Quality Award Website to download applications and
materials for each respective award level and to learn how to begin preparing.
AHCA/NCAL
said the key 2021 program dates are:
--Sept. 17,
2020 – Quality Award Portal and Intent to Apply opens
--Nov. 12,
2020 – Intent to Apply Deadline
--Jan. 28,
2021 – Application and Fee Deadline
Other ways to
get involved in the program include becoming an Examiner for the 2021 program cycle. Examiners play a significant role
in reviewing Quality Award applications and impacting quality improvement in
organizations across the country, AHCA/NCAL said.
Get started by visiting ahcancal.org/qualityaward. For questions, email qualityaward@ahca.org.