On April 3, 2006, to celebrate the success of the 5-year Best Practices quality improvement program, the Pennsylvania Department of Health sponsored a wrap-up workshop held in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

At the workshop, Richard Lee, Pennsylvania's Deputy Secretary for Quality Assurance, and Dr. Calvin B. Johnson, Department of Health Secretary, presented awards to each of the nursing facility participants for their outstanding perfomance.

Best Practices nurse educators Ruth Bish and Sabita Balgobin introduced presenting facilities who shared their process of implementation, challenges faced, and successful outcomes as a result of their participation. Because the project will end in June this year, a main goal of the workshop was to bring current and former test and control site staff together to form peer support groups which will enable the continued application of the protocols. In addition, attendees had a chance to learn from each other and exchange innovative ideas. Workshop planners receoved very positive feedback from attendees who reported enthusiasm for finding new ways to create change in care management.

Read the press release from Pennsylvania's Department of Health.   Click here to return to features page.