U.S. News & World Report Names Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center a 2019-20 Best Nursing Home

U.S. News & World Report Names Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center a 2019-20 Best Nursing Home

Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center is among the 19 percent of U.S. skilled nursing facilities that have been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2019-20 by U.S. News & World Report.

Rockcastle Rearned Best Nursing Homes status for the third time by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for long-term care. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those facilities that satisfy U.S. News’ assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures.

“We are dedicated to providing the best possible care for patients and their families,” said quality and patient safety director Cynthia Burton, RN. “Patient safety, quality care, and comfort are a daily focus for our entire organization. Being designated as one of the best care facilities in the U.S. reflectes the efforts of our highly-skilled, caring team.”

The Respiratory Care Center provides long-term care to individuals who are dependent upon mechanical ventilation to breathe. The facility’s 143 beds are used for patients of all ages and, typically, 50 percent of Rockcastle patients are eventually weaned from ventilator support.

Now in its 10th year, the U.S. News Best Nursing Homes ratings and profiles offer comprehensive information about care, safety, health inspections, staffing, and more for nearly all of the nation’s 15,000-plus nursing homes. The Best Nursing Homes ratings reflect U.S. News’ exclusive analysis of publicly available data using a methodology defined by U.S. News that evaluates factors it has determined most greatly impact patient and resident care, safety, and outcomes.

The U.S. News Best Nursing Home ratings hone in on measurements like emergency room visits, quality of staff, and proper distribution of medical and physical therapy to help families make an informed decision. These ratings help individuals and their families begin their search for healthcare and should be used in consultation with a medical professional and in-depth on-site visits.

This year, U.S. News introduced a new rating focused on long-term care, which aims to provide prospective residents who need help with daily activities, and their families, with analysis and information regarding the quality of care provided by various facilities. The rating includes data on staffing, success in preventing emergency room visits, and pneumonia vaccination rates, among other metrics.

“Our mission is to be the best possible facility for our patients in all aspects of their care and quality of life,” said Stephen A. Estes, president and CEO. “That we are receiving this designation for the third year shows the consistency of our team and the caring work they do each day.”

About Rockcastle Regional: 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 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 ten-time Kentucky Hospital Association Quality Award Winner, was named a “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” 2016-2019, a U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Home for 2013, 2014, and 2019-20, a winner of the Women’s Choice Award for America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience 2013-2019, was recognized with the Women’s Choice Award as an America’s Best Emergency Care Hospital in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, and a recipient of the 2013 Jackson Healthcare Charitable Services Award. For more information, please visit www.rockcastleregional.org.

About U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, and Civic, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings, and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. 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.