GOOD SHEPHERD SERVICES, LTD.
Accomplishments include ELEVEN clinical deficiency-free state and federal surveys, from 1995 - 2006. Because of the outstanding quality services delivered at Good Shepherd Services, we attract residents from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Good Shepherd was one of the first skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin to become part of a provider initiative, with the University of Wisconsin - Madison and the Wisconsin Association of Homes & Services for the Aging, to quantifiably measure quality in Wisconsin's nursing facilities through the use of Quality Indicators. This project is now part of the federal inspection system.
Another major accomplishment is the formation of the Wellspring Model which Good Shepherd co-founded in 1994. Wellspring is the only long term care provider alliance in the nation that has been formed on the basis that quality care can be cost effective. Forty-nine long term care organizations from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan have joined forces to ensure that, despite market conditions, the residents they serve will continue to receive quality care through the utilization of nationally defined "best practices". This major venture makes equal partners of these not-for-profits whose intent is to change traditional corporate culture by empowering and training line staff in critical thinking, decision making and best clinical practices.
In long term care facilities, it's common for residents to struggle with incontinent episodes. Nationally, 70% of the elderly population have difficulty with incontinence and it is the primary reason for institutionalization of the elderly. As a direct result of a module created by the charter Wellspring partners, levels of incontinence have been significantly reduced in Wellspring homes. Today, the majority of Good Shepherd Home residents have improved their continence status. This dramatic improvement not only enhances the quality of care for the residents, but it also improves the quality of the work life for our staff. Reduction in incontinence also frees up staff time to tend to the emotional well-being of residents. Solving this major problem also saves dollars that can be channeled back into other services.
Wellspring has developed eight staff education modules that have been implemented with similar successful outcomes. Good Shepherd is a leading participant in finding ways to make these modules available to other facilities and alliances across the nation. We are proud of our role as an industry leader in organizational quality.
Good Shepherd Services has pledged to follow a covenant to achieve healthy, affordable and ethical aging services. This initiative is promoted by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA), of which we are a member. As a member of AAHSA, we believe we have a special stewardship responsibility to maintain:
Continuous quality improvement
Public disclosure and accountability
Consumer and family rights
Workforce excellence
Community involvement
Ethical practices
Financial integrity
Additional Facts:
More than 1,600
residents have been admitted to the Good Shepherd Home since 1981.