New Survey Process Will Drive Quality Improvements in Nursing Homes: Kansas Governor and New AHCA President

MUNDELEIN, IL–(Marketwire – September 29, 2010) –  Despite traditional differences among the chief constituents of long-term care, the new survey process can be a “win-win” for everyone, which will drive significant quality improvements in our nation’s nursing homes, said Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson and the incoming president of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), the nation’s largest long-term care association. Governor Parkinson made these comments while speaking at Medline Industries, Inc.’s second annual Long-Term Care Quality Summit, in New York City. More than 150 leaders from the nation’s long-term care community are attending the two-day forum focused on how nursing homes can meet the changing expectations for quality among their residents and families.

“Historically there has been mistrust among providers, regulators and advocacy groups over the traditional survey process and what its goals are,” said Governor Parkinson. “But I am optimistic now because we all want quality care in our nursing homes, and the new Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) process can help make this happen.”

Governor Parkinson said the QIS is more objective than the traditional survey process and focuses on important quality criteria, including a robust care plan, promoting a safe environment and keeping residents active. He emphasized that for resident quality to improve, it was crucial that these criteria be measured and homes be held accountable to maintaining high standards.

In addition to Governor Parkinson, topics being discussed at the Summit include the changing regulatory expectations for the long-term care industry and how nursing homes can implement a system to continuously improve quality of care and life for their residents.

Other speakers include: Anthony Rodgers, new CMS Deputy Administrator for the Center for Strategic Planning; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Andy Kramer, MD, chief executive officer of Nursing Home Quality and professor of medicine, University of Colorado; Neil Pruitt, Jr., chairman and CEO, UHS Pruitt Corporation; Jim Foy, president and CEO, St. John’s Riverside Healthcare System, Yonkers, NY; Barbara Baylis, senior vice president of clinical operations, Kindred Healthcare, Inc.; Mary Ousley, president of Ousley & Associates; Elizabeth Ayello, president of Ayello, Harris and Associates; and Kevin Yankowsky, partner in the health law litigation group of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

About Medline Industries, Inc. 
Medline, the nation’s largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended-care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., Medline has more than 900 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest-growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 450 major hospitals and healthcare systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities and on-staff clinicians.