March 20, 2024 – The Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s skilled nursing facility, the Edward J. Healey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, has again been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for Long-Term and Short-Term Care for 2023-2024 by U.S. News & World Report, earning a “High Performing” rating, the highest possible achievement. The modern, 120-bed facility in Riviera Beach, Florida, which is home to some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, earned an overall rating of five out of five.
“It’s an honor to receive the Best Nursing Homes designation for the fifth year in a row,” said Darcy J. Davis, the Health Care District’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our skilled nursing facility has been a lifeline for the Palm Beach County community, offering vital skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services to many who would have nowhere else to turn. We are proud to provide our residents a home of hope and healing.”
The annual Best Nursing Homes ratings, now in its 14th year, assist prospective residents and their families in making informed decisions in consultation with their medical professionals about where to receive short-term or long-term nursing home care. Only 19% of U.S. skilled nursing facilities earned this year’s “Best Nursing Home” designation.
“U.S. News’ Best Nursing Homes ratings give patients, senior residents, their families and caregivers an objective assessment of quality to help them choose the facility that best fits their individual needs,” said Daniel Lara Agudelo, health data analyst at U.S. News. “Nursing homes that have earned the recognition of U.S. News have a track record of achieving better outcomes for patients and residents and maximizing the amount of care they receive from nurses and other staff.”
“The Healey Center’s residents are younger than most nursing home populations,” added Karen A. Harris, the Health Care District’s Vice President of Field Operations. “The average age of our residents is 66 and nearly 60% are 70 and under. Many have suffered traumatic injuries, strokes or debilitating illnesses, and we also care for residents with dementia and complex medical conditions. This recognition is a testament to the efforts of our dedicated team, who ensure every resident receives the best possible care.”
For 2023-2024, U.S. News rated more than 15,000 skilled nursing facilities on patient and resident outcomes, such as infection rates, staffing levels, reliance on antipsychotic drugs, health inspection results, and other quality indicators. The U.S. News methodology factors in data such as data on resident care, safety, outcomes and other aspects of quality. Both short- and long-term ratings include data on nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing ER and hospital visits.
“Our mission as a safety net facility is to provide high-quality, comprehensive care,” said Shelly Ann Lau, Health Care District Associate Vice President and skilled nursing facility Administrator. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to excellence and motivates us to strive for the highest standards of care. We are honored to provide compassionate care to our residents and their families.”
In addition to the 2023-2024 “Best Nursing Home” recognition, in 2023, the Healey Center earned a deficiency-free annual survey from Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Bronze National Quality Award from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).
About the Health Care District
The Health Care District of Palm Beach County is a special taxpayer-funded district that has served as a healthcare safety net for 36 years to fill in gaps in access to healthcare services. This unique healthcare system covers the entire county and provides diverse services such as 13 community health centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers) which serve everyone regardless of ability to pay; school health clinicians staffed in nearly 170 public schools; two Trauma Hawk aeromedical helicopters; a rural, public teaching hospital, Lakeside Medical Center; a skilled nursing facility; a ground ambulance program for Health Care District patients needing a higher level of care; a specialty benefits program for eligible, uninsured residents; and quality performance oversight of the county’s lifesaving trauma system.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities. A multifaceted digital media company with Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advice and U.S. News Live events. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
