Russellville Health Care receives perfect surveys

State evaluations and surveys are necessary processes for businesses as important as nursing homes, and Russellville Health Care passed the recent in-depth tests with flying colors. According to administrator Brenda Hovater, Russellville Health Care was declared to be in compliance and lacking in deficiencies for both the Health Survey and Life Safety Survey.

“Usually we’ll get one or the other. It’s rare to get both,” explained administrative assistant Kay Landrum.

This year the accomplishment is even more special, Hovater said, because the survey requirements changed. One big change this year is the increased focus on emergency preparedness in the Life Safety Survey.

“It’s a big thing that we’ve been working on,” Hovater said.

Hovater said Russellville Health Care has become part of a coalition with the health department and other nursing homes that gives them immediate communication with others in the coalition in emergency situations like flooding.

The Life Safety Survey also checks that everything in the building is up to code, including the generators and exit signs.

A big part of the Health Survey, which is a recertification every year, is having all records and paperwork correct. This includes paperwork for Medicare, Medicaid, payments, policies and procedures.

“A lot goes into running a nursing home. This is a big accomplishment,” Hovater said.

Russellville Health Care maintains about 76 employees and houses 50 resident beds.

“I praise our staff,” Hovater said. “They really take pride in their work and what we’re doing here.”

Russellville Health Care recently held a party to celebrate this accomplishment and was awarded a certificate by Turenne PharMedCo, the company that provides pharmaceuticals.