Salude Ranked #1 by CMS’ New Value-Based Purchasing Quality Initiative

ATLANTA, GA (December 14, 2018) – In October this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated a new program aimed to reduce patient readmission to acute care hospitals in the 30 days following discharge from a skilled nursing facility. It was announced in November that out of over 15,000 participating Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities, Salude was ranked #1 in performance.

The Value-Based Purchasing initiative will demand that skilled nursing facilities meet certain performance benchmarks or face penalties. Nearly 73% of skilled nursing facilities can expect to see a reduction in Medicare reimbursement based on the data collected by CMS. However, Salude’s ranking of #1 indicates exemplary performance in preventing patient readmissions to the hospital in a 2015 to 2017 data comparison, as well as a potential to remain high-performing this fiscal year.

"Salude is ecstatic to be ranked #1 in the country by CMS regarding readmissions to the hospital,” says Salude CEO, Dr. Alan Wang, MD, SFHM, FACP. “Salude’s 64-bed innovative ‘transitionist’ clinical model is designed to provide the best physician, nursing, and therapy services in a state-of-the-art environment, which further perpetuates each patient’s potential for success upon discharge,” Dr. Wang continues.

Executive Director, Dee Desai, MBA/MHA, LNHA, wishes to “thank our community partners who have helped institute our groundbreaking patient-centered care approach since Salude’s inception in 2014.”

Salude has many partners that have worked together to develop the model, some of which can be found inside Salude’s walls and others who partner in the community. Inside Salude, Aegis Therapies provides physical, occupational, and speech therapies in a state-of-the-art gym surrounded by glass walls with a direct view of nature. The surroundings are just as therapeutic as the intensive 7 days a week rehabilitation program.

Transitional Care Physicians of America (TCPA) provides nurse practitioners and physician assistants to oversee clinical services and communicate directly with patients and their physicians. Chief Medical Officer of TCPA, Dr. Amar Mohan, says, “The work Salude is doing in our community is not only valuable; it is necessary. Kudos to Salude on this extraordinary achievement. We are proud to be part of this innovative model.”

At the heart of Salude’s patient-centered care is Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds (SIBR), which brings an expertly-trained care team to the patient and family to advance progress and answer questions together. 1Unit, the clinician-led healthcare company which develops SIBR, provides Salude with everything needed to SIBR-train and SIBR-certify staff. Dr. Jason Stein, CEO and founder of 1Unit, says he is “proud of the interdisciplinary collaboration” he has witnessed at Salude, and “the patient outcomes reflect a unity and unique skill set among staff to provide the best care for each patient.”

Accent Care’s Guardian Home Health and Amedisys Home Health, which follow patients after graduation from the rehabilitation and recovery program, ensure that patients continue on their path of success in a home-based setting.

Dr. Greg Sheff, Accent Care Chief Medical Officer, says, “It is an honor to partner with Salude and to collaborate on a ‘transitionist’ home health model to keep our patients out of the hospital and improve rehabilitative outcomes.”

Guardian Home Health Releases White Paper on “Transitionist” Home Health Collaborative Model

ATLANTA, GA (December 6, 2018) – Salude, a preeminent transitional care and physical recovery facility in Atlanta, Georgia, implemented a transitionist clinical model with Guardian Home Health, an AccentCare, Inc. company, enabling over 96% of Salude patients to successfully complete recovery at home. This collaborative care model combines extension of Salude’s line of sight into the home with Guardian Home Health’s 4.5-star quality rating to improve rehabilitative outcomes and lower both re-hospitalization and emergency department utilization rates.

“Salude’s focus has always been on patient outcomes as well as patient experience, part of which is influenced by shorter lengths of stay in a first-of-a kind facility,” said Dr. Alan L. Wang, MD, SFHM, FACP and CEO. “The transitionist model work with Guardian Home Health has helped optimize both measures while enabling a safe and early discharge to the home setting without compromising on results.”  

The transitionist model addresses common challenges for health care systems regarding post-acute care. Lack of coordination at, and following, patient discharge, often results in incomplete transfer of information, medication discrepancies, and patients and families who are unprepared for patient care at home. The Transitionist Home Health Collaborative Model creates a seamless integrated care continuum with active connection to Salude, primary care, and other facility-based care resources.

“The transitionist model has proven success in patient rehabilitation measures as well as overall satisfaction with the recovery experience,” said Dr. Greg Sheff, AccentCare Chief Medical Officer. “Seamless integration with Salude enables care delivery results that exceed industry performance.”

Elements critical to the model’s success include careful preparation and well-orchestrated care at home. Guardian Home Health begins patient transition with an on-site home health clinical liaison, thorough preparation of the home environment, and home care admission within 24 hours of discharge. Once on service for home health, multi-disciplinary patient visits are made over a 60-day period. Given that the first two weeks after discharge are often the most critical to optimal recovery, visit-rate intensity is skewed to the beginning of the care episode. All patients, including those considered to be at higher risk, are carefully monitored.

About Guardian Home Health

Guardian Home Health is owned by AccentCare, Inc., a nationwide leader in post-acute healthcare as well as specialized care management prior to acute episodes. Its wide variety of innovative services ranges from personal, non-medical care to skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, and care management. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, AccentCare has over 23,000 compassionate professionals in more than 190 locations, with regional brands including AccentCare, Accolade, Doctors’ Choice, Guardian Home Health & Hospice, Nurses Unlimited, Sta-Home, and Texas Home Health.

In addition, the company has over 30 strategic partnerships with insurance companies, physician groups and major health systems, including joint ventures with Asante, Baylor Scott & White Health, UC San Diego Health and UCLA Health.

AccentCare leads the industry in avoidance of unplanned re-hospitalizations, faster starts of care and quality performance. Many of its home health agencies have earned the HomeCare Elite distinction, and all legacy hospice locations are CHAP accredited, with designations from the We Honor Veterans program.

About Salude

Salude is a transitional care and physical recovery facility supporting recoveries from surgeries, trauma, acute exacerbations of chronic illness, infections, and other acute medical issues. Opened in July 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia, the facility was designed and built with a focus on addressing every facet of a holistic and exceptional patient experience including clinical excellence as well as top-of-the-line hospitality.

Salude takes a team-based patient- and family-centered approach, offering upscale cuisine that nourishes the body and promotes healing, superb rehabilitation services with state-of-the-art equipment, and individualized privacy to nurture the recovery process. In a serene setting with stunning views and 64 all-private suites with over 330 square feet of space, chef-prepared cuisine, complimentary WiFi, and on-site concierge services, Salude is one-of-a-kind.

Additionally, Salude’s rehabilitation programs are supported by such appointments as an Aegis Therapies® in a 3,000 square foot state-of-the-art gym open seven days a week and an AlixaRx™ automated dispensing unit for medications.

Salude has a full-time Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director as well as three primary care groups, an infectious disease physician, a physiatrist (rehabilitation physician) and a wound care nurse on staff. Nurse practitioners are available seven days a week and community nurse practitioners are available for home visits after discharge.

Jennifer Wilson Named Finalist in Gwinnett Chamber Healthcare Awards

The Gwinnett Chamber is pleased to honor leading individuals and organizations that make an impact with its 6th annual Healthcare Awards on December 5. This program raises awareness and illustrates best practices to emulate while enhancing the quality of care.

“Our community is at the forefront of innovation in the healthcare sector,” said Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO, Dr. Dan Kaufman. “These readily available advanced options are not only beneficial for residents, but they also enhance our economic development efforts, making the area attractive for investment.”

Awards are designated in the following categories: Allied Health, Altruistic Contributor, Community Wellness, Corporate Innovation, Distinguished Leader, Emerging Executive, Healthcare Agency, Healthcare Professional, Lasting Legacy, Physician of the Year (Dentist, Primary Care and Specialist) and Volunteer Service.

“We are thrilled to have Jennifer Wilson represent Salude at the Healthcare Awards this year. We are proud of what she has accomplished and wish to celebrate her success,” says Dee Desai, Salude’s Executive Director.

Winners will be unveiled at a ceremony from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, December 5, at the Infinite Energy Forum. For more information, visit GwinnettHealthcareAwards.com.

Gwinnett Chamber to Honor Leading Healthcare Individuals and Organizations

The Gwinnett Chamber is pleased to honor leading individuals and organizations that make an impact with its 6th annual Healthcare Awards on December 5. This program raises awareness and illustrates best practices to emulate, while enhancing the quality of care.

“Our community is at the forefront of innovation in the healthcare sector,” said Gwinnett Chamber President & CEO Dr. Dan Kaufman. “These readily available advanced options are not only beneficial for residents, but they also enhance our economic development efforts, making the area attractive for investment.”

Awards are designated in the following categories: Allied Health, Altruistic Contributor, Community Wellness, Corporate Innovation, Distinguished Leader, Emerging Executive, Healthcare Agency, Healthcare Professional, Lasting Legacy, Physician of the Year (Dentist, Primary Care and Specialist) and Volunteer Service.

“We are thrilled that we have been nominated by colleagues and the community. We are fortunate to be a part of such an engaging sector and are excited to be a part of the event,” said Dee Desai, Executive Director at Salude.

Mike Moss and Clarice Ezeanya are also finalists for the Healthcare Professional Award, and Jennifer Wilson is a finalist for the Allied Health Professional Award. Winners will be unveiled at a ceremony from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, December 5 at the Infinite Energy Forum. For more information, visit GwinnettHealthcareAwards.com.

CMS Names Salude Five-Star Facility

Recognized as a leading skilled nursing facility, Salude has been named a Five-Star Facility by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating System. This is the second contiguous year that Salude has been recognized as a Five-Star Facility by CMS.

Facilities are rated according to several measures, including health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Combined, these individual ratings give each facility an overall score of 1 to 5 stars. A rating of 5 stars means a facility scored much above average. This information is used to help patients and families choose the most appropriate facility for them.

“We are proud of what we have accomplished and strive to continue providing the best patient experience,” says Dee Desai, Executive Director.

To learn more about how Salude earned its rating, please check out this site.

Lelia Jackson Named 2017 Employee of the Year

Congratulations to Lelia Jackson, LPN, our 2017 Employee of the Year! Dee Desai, Executive Director, and Madelyn Terry, Director of Nursing, presented Lelia with a plaque, monetary award, and a recognition ceremony to honor her achievement. 

Lelia has been a licensed practical nurse (LPN)  since 2010 and previously worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for one year. Before moving to Georgia, Lelia worked in long-term care facilities in New York and Florida. Lelia states she loves working with older adults and plans to continue her education to pursue her registered nurse (RN) license. Lelia spends most of her free time with her children. She also enjoys cooking and reading. 

Dee Desai says "Lelia is a talented nurse who really enjoys her profession. She is compassionate and has demonstrated leadership skills in guiding our night shift. The employees on night shift love Lelia because she is very helpful, hard working and knowledgeable, and they know they can count on her when they need help."

We look forward to seeing Lelia grow and take on new and challenging roles at Salude in the future. Congratulations again, Lelia!

Salude CEO Speaks at Health Education & Innovation Forum

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA (June 15, 2018) – The National Readmission Prevention Collaborative hosted a C-Suite Invitational Forum at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta on June 13. Salude CEO, Dr. Alan Wang, served as a panelist for the Readmission Prevention discussion. The program was geared toward Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Case Managers, and Resident Care Facility/Nursing Home Administrators who are engaged in the care transitions and readmission prevention of patients.

“I am honored to have been selected to participate in this innovative collaborative. Salude is focused on strategies to reduce the likelihood of patient readmissions to the hospital and ultimately on providing the best patient experience,” says Dr. Wang.

Learn more about this collaborative, the speakers, and gain access to readmission prevention tool kits here. 

SPOTLIGHT ON WELLNESS FOR LIFE

Meet the heart behind our Wellness Program!

Carrie Waldrop graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in Exercise Physiology and has been a Wellness Coordinator at Salude for over three years. Carrie is passionate about helping seniors live long, heathy lives.

Carrie can be found coaching one on one exercise programs with patients who have graduated from Salude’s inpatient program, as well as with clients from the community who wish to maintain or gain strength in mobility and activities of daily living.

Is Salude’s Wellness Program right for you? At Salude, Wellness is not one-dimensional. It’s a complete way of looking at your health and how to maintain it.

Wellness Specialty Services at Salude offers individualized, results-driven programs that are designed to enhance your health and happiness.  Carrie will guide you through the program, which is designed to promote a lifetime of well-being.

You will have access to:

• Assessment to determine individual needs as a way to customize your workout program specifically for you and your personal goals
• State-of-the-art exercise equipment
• One-on-one with a highly skilled professional that will ensure you achieve maximum outcomes throughout your journey

Our outpatient wellness program can help you:

• Decrease muscle and joint pain, and improve functionality
• Improve balance & prevent falls
• Improve mobility
• Stroke recovery
• Manage blood pressure with exercise
• Manage diabetes with exercise
• Maximize functionality ability and delay or prevent the development of more serious medical complications

How do I get started?

• To get started call us at 770.904.3222

Salude CEO and Social Work Director Attend Spring Luncheon with Joe Biden

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA (May 21, 2018) – Salude CEO, Dr. Alan Wang, and Social Work Director, Ebonie Farr-Brannon, MSW, were invited to attend the 2018 Spring Luncheon with Joe Biden on Thursday, May 17, 2018, sponsored by Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta.

The honorable Joseph Biden Jr., the 47th Vice President of the United States, spoke about his family’s personal battle with cancer and the Biden Cancer Initiative. “It was an honor to be invited to attend this luncheon in celebration of Visiting Nurse’s 70 year anniversary,” said Farr-Brannon.

Salude understands the impact a cancer diagnosis can have on a patient and their families. At Salude, “We hope to provide our patients enhanced recovery and a safe transition home by delivering clinical excellence in a state-of-the-art healing environment,” Dr. Wang added.

Proceeds from the event benefited patients and their families in the care of Visiting Nurse | Hospice Atlanta.

Salude Named Best Skilled Nursing Facility

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA (May 18, 2018) – Recognized as a leading skilled nursing facility, Salude has been named among Georgia’s Best Skilled Nursing Facilities by U.S. News and World Report.

Salude’s Overall Rating, based on ratings in health inspections, nurse staffing, and measures of medical quality of care, is ranked Top Performing. To learn more about how U.S. News and World Report calculates these ratings, click here.

“This Top Performer ranking solidifies all of our healthcare professionals’ hard work,” says Dee Desai, Executive Director. Salude strives to always do the right thing for their patients, which is evident in its mission to provide patients improved health, enhanced recovery, and a safe transition home by delivering clinical excellence in a state-of-the-art healing environment.