Despite the ongoing national pandemic due to COVID-19, St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has received a glowing survey review from regulating authorities.
The Maryland Office of Health Care Quality conducted a surprise inspection of St. Elizabeth’s, and found the facility to be 100-percent compliant with all regulations.
Director of Senior Services Aileen Tinney said, “I am very proud the St. Elizabeth team is meeting the requirements and, beyond that, working incredibly hard to do the right thing, every day.”
The July 28 COVID-19 Focused Infection Control Survey was conducted to ensure the facility is in compliance with all federal, state and city guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
What was measured by Maryland Office of Health Care Quality is reflected in the perspectives of residents and their loved ones.
“I’m truly impressed with how the facility has handled the pandemic,” said Candace Mihalic. Her mother, Kathleen, has lived at St. Elizabeth’s for over six years. “I wouldn’t criticize anything that they are doing.”
Kathleen Mihalic, who is 100 years old, at St. Elizabeth
According to an Associated Press estimate, elderly housing facilities have been hit hard by the virus. The population accounts for as many as 4 in 10 coronavirus deaths. That’s just one reason why Candace said she is so pleased with St. Elizabeth’s.
“My mom is 100 years old, so I was so concerned about her chances of survival,” she said. “This pandemic could’ve easily taken her out, despite her surviving so much in her life, such as the Spanish flu and the polio outbreak. My sister and I were so worried this could’ve been the end, but we agree St. Elizabeth’s is the safest place she could be right now.”
Despite juggling a full work load, staff also take time out to ensure families stay in touch with their patients.
“They help Mom Facetime us twice a week, while we sit in my sister’s backyard,” Candace said. “You hear about the nightmares families are experiencing at other facilities, but St. Elizabeth has done an extraordinary job.”
Even before the pandemic St. Elizabeth’s was working hard to please its residents and their families. In The 2019 Maryland Nursing Home Family Experience of Care Survey, 89 percent of families who participated said they are likely to recommend St. Elizabeth Rehabilitation and Nursing Center to others. That is compared to families from other facilities statewide where 78 percent would recommend their loved one’s facility. The overall rating of care by families at St. Elizabeth’s was 8.2 compared to 7.6 statewide, on a scale of 1-10.
In the Nursing Home Compare – Five Star Quality Rating System from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), St. Elizabeth’s holds four out of five-stars for overall quality. This reflects a cumulative measure of health inspections, staffing and quality measures.