At Plaza Health Network’s seven award-winning skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers – Ponce Plaza, University Plaza, Sinai Plaza, Arch Plaza, Jackson Plaza, Aventura Plaza and South Pointe Plaza – advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) are a part of the changing face of health care in our facilities. This evolution has placed a collective focus on the value of ARNPs, redefining their roles to provide higher levels of sub-acute, skilled nursing services as they coordinate care with directors of nursing and other members of a patient’s interdisciplinary team.
“Given their advanced education, experiences, and ability to assess, diagnose and treat acute illness and chronic conditions, all of our nurses play a significant role in the transformation of the way high quality health care is delivered to the most complex patient cases,” said Elaine Bloom, Plaza Health Network president and CEO.
Specialized Training
At Plaza Health Network centers, ARNPs are a part of an on-site interdisciplinary team including medical directors, primary care providers, specialists and nurses that collaborates to handle the evaluation, diagnoses and treatment of patients. Plaza Health nurses have specialized training to manage distinctive needs of patients such as continuous care for sub-acute and transplant services. They also collaborate with hospitals to assist in the recuperative care of complex patients, thereby reducing hospital stays and readmissions and ultimately speeding up recovery.
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“One of the ways we are elevating the quality of nursing care is by having our ARNPs coordinate patient care and services with our nursing directors and staff. The support they provide helps to successfully care for all of our patients, including those who have just undergone transplants,” said Dr. Ann-Lynn Denker, Plaza Health Network’s chief clinical officer. “It’s what gives us the edge above other nursing facilities and allows us to form strategic partnerships.”Additionally, the skillset of the Plaza Health Network ARNPs allows them to oversee specialized services such as in-house and bedside dialysis, as well as programs for residents with cognitive disorders, respiratory issues, and other serious co-morbidities.
Technology in the Continuum of Care
Being equipped with the latest technology, telemetry, and equipment also facilitates the Plaza Health Network centers’ ability to provide focused care. All seven centers now include a telehealth program that can provide rapid, real-time remote monitoring of patients. This innovative technology allows residents to receive collaborative virtual care from their team of doctors, nurses, and medical specialists resulting in quicker evaluations, enhanced outcomes, and reduced hospital readmissions.
The same collaborative teams also benefit from the use of electronic health records at Plaza Health Network centers, which allows them to communicate effectively and thoroughly resulting in better resident management.
Award-Winning Care
The dedicated teams of nursing professionals at Plaza Health Network assure patient-centered care by continuously re-evaluating and improving their methods. As a result, all seven centers have been recognized by Providigm, a national health care quality assessment system. Three centers – Aventura Plaza, Sinai Plaza and University Plaza have been awarded the 2016 Providigm Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI) Accreditation. Less than 2% of the skilled nursing facilities in the country – and only five in Miami-Dade including the four from Plaza Health Network – have achieved this advanced level of QAPI accreditation. The remaining four centers – Arch Plaza, Jackson Plaza, Ponce Plaza and South Pointe Plaza- have received Advanced QAPI Accreditation. In addition, Arch Plaza, Jackson Plaza, Ponce Plaza, Sinai Plaza, South Pointe Plaza and University Plaza are the recipients of the Providigm National Embracing Quality Award, an achievement attained by only 300 skilled nursing facilities across the United States and Ontario, Canada for their outstanding commitment to quality.
“We are very proud to have 5-star staffing in our facilities to promote quality care. The award-winning level of care provided by our nursing teams results in tremendous benefits for our patients,” said Bloom.
Overall, the expansion of the nurse practitioner roles is creating synergies that benefit patients, residents, and medical staff. As these roles continue to evolve and advance, Plaza Health Network will remain on the forefront of how skilled nursing care is delivered.
