CELEBRATE RATING — The Skilled Care Unit at Trinity Medical Center East includes, from left, seated, Lori Damis, director of nursing, skilled care; and Lisa Starr, activities coordinator; and back, Staci Armstrong, RN; Erin Moores, RN and case manager; Stephanie Wilson, RN supervisor; Gary Kimball, unit clerk; and Tim Armstrong, RN. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The Skilled Care Unit at Trinity Medical Center East has received a five-star rating by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“The Five-Star Quality Rating System is based on staffing data, quality measures and annual surveys,” said Lori Damis, director of nursing — skilled care. “Staffing data is submitted quarterly. Quality Measure Data is submitted per resident stays, and surveys are usually completed on an annual basis.”

Achieving a five-star rating requires a sophisticated level of awareness from the entire staff.

“It takes all staff knowing and understanding the Ohio Department of Health guidelines and regulations and ensuring compliance with these on a consistent basis,” Damis said. “Our skilled care team is kept up to date on the measures and guidelines, and the team is proactive in making the necessary changes to continue to meet the guidelines.”

The team gathers weekly to discuss all residents, and nurses coordinate daily with the manager to ensure guidelines are being followed. The support team meets monthly as a whole to discuss quality improvement measures. This includes nurses, state-tested nursing assistants, clerical staff, activities coordinator, medical staff, management staff, therapy, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance, clergy and any support services for skilled care.

CMS utilizes a five-star quality rating system to provide the public with an easy-to-understand summary of nursing home quality, Damis said. The overall quality rating is based on three dimensions, including health inspection results, staffing and quality measures. All nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid are rated from one star to five stars. This information is then publicly reported.

“It takes the entire team to provide quality care to our residents,” Damis said.