Rockcastle Regional Named Among 2024 Best by U.S. News & World Report

Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center has been recognized as a 2024 Best Nursing Home for both Long-Term Care and Short-Term Rehabilitation by U.S. News and World Report.

Only 19 percent of the U.S. skilled-nursing facilities earned the “Best Nursing Home” designation in 2024 nationwide. Rockcastle Regional earned its place on the list by achieving the highest possible rating, “High Performing,” for its long-term care services and its short-term rehabilitation program.

“Receiving this recognition is a testament of our dedication to delivering compassionate and comprehensive care to our patients,” said chief nursing officer, Tammy Brock, RN, MSN. “It is an affirmation of the hard work and dedication of our skilled healthcare professionals who strive each day to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

For the 2024 designation, U.S. News rated more than 15,000 nursing homes on residents’ outcomes – such as infection rates, staffing levels, appropriate use of antipsychotic drugs, and health inspection results, among other quality indicators.

This is the fifth year the organization has received this designation for Long-Term Care. “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,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News.

“Our unique facility has been recognized nationally for our work with residents who require mechanical ventilation,” said Rockcastle Regional president and CEO, Stephen A. Estes. “Our mission is to be the best care facility for our patients, in all aspects of their care and quality of life. The fact we are receiving this designation for the fifth year shows the consistent quality of the dedicated team we have and the caring work they do each day.”

ABOUT US

Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center is a not-for-profit community healthcare system that operates an emergency department, outpatient services, a 26-bed acute care hospital, a 4-bed intensive care unit, a 143-bed long-term care program for residents who are dependent upon mechanical ventilation, a quick care clinic, and three rural health clinics. Rockcastle Regional Hospital was established in 1956 and is accredited by the Joint Commission. The organization is a thirteen-time Kentucky Hospital Association Quality Award Winner, was named a “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” 2016-2019 and 2021, a U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Home for 2013, 2014, 2019-20, 2022-23, and 2024; a winner of the Women’s Choice Award for America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience 2013-2021 and 2022; was recognized with the Women’s Choice Award as an America’s Best Emergency Care Hospital in 2015, 2016, 2018; and was honored by the Women’s Choice Award as an America’s Best Hospital for Outpatient Experience 2019-2023. The organization has a rich history of community service and was recognized for that commitment in 2013 with the Jackson Healthcare Charitable Services Award. For more information, please visit www.rockcastleregional.org.