Allison, Iowa - Allison Health Care Center has been named this year’s recipient for the 2009 Governor’s Quality Care Award. Monday morning, June 8th, Jay Bennett, Director of the Health Facilities Division, from the Department of Inspection and Appeals, called to inform Ms. Kathy Miller, the center’s Administrator, that Allison Health Care Center and staff are to receive the 2009 Governor’s Quality Care Award.

The Quality Care Award was established to recognize those long-term care providers that demonstrates the provision of the highest quality of care to their residents. Since the first awards were presented in 2001, a total of 38 facilities have received a Governor’s Award, making Allison Health Care Center the 9th ABCM long-term care center to receive the Governor’s Award for Quality Care.

The news generated much excitement for both Ms. Miller and her staff who have worked hard at achieving high standards of quality care. The 60-bed care center is located at 900 Seventh Street, in Allison Iowa. A formal presentation will take place on July 9, 2009 from 11:00 – 12:00 p.m. at the Allison Health Care Center with several dignitaries being in attendance. Allison Health Care Center will be celebrating with a complementary lunch. The public is invited and encouraged to join in celebrating the honorable event.

Ms. Miller emphasizes that it is the type of care that makes Allison Health Care Center successful. The center builds its care on the philosophy of Person Directed Care which is a concept that commits to accommodating the residents’ lifestyles rather than expecting them to conform to the procedures of an institution. Residents decide when they get up, what and when they will eat and what they will do throughout the day. Person Directed Care also incorporates the policy of consistent staffing where staff is assigned to the same resident or “neighbourhood” at all times. Consistent staffing is designed to promote a greater sense of closeness and trust between residents and staff. Other elements of Person Directed Care includes: a culture change steering committee, a neighborhood activity program, and a well-organized volunteer program. In addition to type of care Allison Health Care offers, here listed are the services they provide:

• Skilled care, including nursing, therapies, wound care, IV’s and other care needing daily professional services, and
• Rehab-to-Home care, where therapies are used to return patients to their own homes as soon as possible, with the care center having 65% of their resident-customers returning home this past year.

Ms. Miller wishes to express her deep gratitude for the support and commitment of such a wonderful and devoted staff, volunteers, and community without them this award would never be possible. In addition, a special thanks goes out to Esther Griner and Norma Clark, volunteers and advisory board members for the nomination recognizing the care center’s commitment to quality care.

Allison Health Care Center recognizes that its staff is the key element in providing exceptional care to its residents. If you are a loving, caring devoted professional looking to work providing specialty care please call, stop by, or visit online at ABCM Available Positions to submit an application.

Allison Health Care Center is owned and operated by ABCM Corporation. The Hampton based company owns and operates 30 senior health care and rehabilitation centers and 19 independent and assisted living apartments in Iowa.