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Medical Director Recognized by Consumer Research Council Dr. Owen Barruw, Whitehall Boca's medical director since 1999, was recently recognized by Consumers Research Council of America as one of America's top phyicians for the fourth consecutive year. As medical director, Dr. Barruw plays an instrumental role in shepherding our operations by serving as primary medical advisor to our governing body, program personnel, and to patients and their families. His function is broad and important to us, and we thought you'd want to know about the important distinction he received. BOCA RATON, FL
Our Hurricane Protection Far Exceeds State Standards BOCA RATON, FL
That’s because Whitehall Boca has some of the toughest storm protection on the market. Our aggressive protection efforts include two generators that help ensure storms do not dim our lights, interrupt our air conditioning, or interfere with laundry or kitchen services. Of course, our storm protection doesn’t end with generators. We've maximized our window security with Armor Screen®, an advanced product that allows light in and far exceeds government standards for wind and impact protection. In fact, it’s tough enough to face down even a rare Category 5 storm, which carries winds in excess of 155 miles an hour. We also acquired satellite telephone service to make certain that Whitehall Boca can maintain communication with the outside world under nearly any circumstance. Just as importantly, Executive Director Steve Mulder not only monitors developments in advance of a storm, but he personally stays on the premises with residents until all threats have passed. The state doesn't require all those measures. But we do, because our residents come first every day — no matter how extraordinary the situation. There really is a difference at Whitehall Boca.
Whitehall Employees Enjoy 2nd Annual Back-to-School Bazaar BOCA RATON, FL Whitehall Boca has always been privileged to participate in community activities. But we also enjoy sponsoring events for our terrific staff. This year, we were pleased to host the 2nd Annual Back-to-School Bazaar, where employees had an opportunity to get clothing, supplies, and other school necessities at a price that couldn’t be beat — free! Our classroom was decorated like a “mini store” and stocked with goods contributed by Whitehall and staff members from throughout the facility. Whitehall pitched in by providing bookbags, socks and supplies. Other contributors donated a a variety of other school essentials, not to mention clothes that were sure to send kids back to the classroom in style. One donor even contributed a full set of encyclopedias, which was raffled off. So how successful was our bazaar? Well, consider this: The parents of nearly 120 kids beat the last-minute crowds and got what they needed without even having to leave the building. We’re proud of our event and invite you to take a look at a photo gallery of pictures that participants took to commemorate the bazaar. State Program Honors Whitehall with 4 Awards BOCA RATON, FL Florida Medical Quality Assurance, Inc. presented Whitehall Boca Raton with four honors during its April 15 “Best Practices Sharing Dinner and Awards Ceremony” for South Florida facilities. In addition to receiving recognition for its participation in FMQAI’s three-year project to improve the quality of care for residents, Whitehall was lauded for its participation in the quality measure project (pressure sores.) Even more significantly, of some twenty facilities in attendance at the dinner, Whitehall received an award for the most significant improvement in quality measures for restraint reduction and another for the management of chronic pain. The awards are based not on opinion, but on actual data compiled by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and readily available for the public on the Medicare web site. Whitehall Boca Raton, long a leader in quality care for residents, elected to participate in the program last summer to further its commitment to seeing that every resident receives the most thoughtful, thorough, and advanced care available. For more information about the FMQAI program, part of a national program to improve patient care in nursing facilities, please see the article below. Whitehall Boca Joins National Effort to Improve Quality Care BOCA RATON, FL Whitehall Boca Raton, along with nursing homes across Florida and the nation, is participating in the Nursing Home Quality Initiative (NHQI), recently launched by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The NHQI combines health care quality information for consumers, and new educational resources for nursing homes to improve the quality of care for all residents. Whitehall Boca Raton is enthusiastic about the new program to improve resident care. “Our mission has always been about providing the best care possible to our residents,” said Steve Mulder, Whitehall's executive director since the facility opened in 1982. “We're excited about the new resources available to assist us in bringing quality of care to a new level. The national focus gives us an opportunity to share information and learn from other facilities about improving our quality of care.” Florida Medical Quality Assurance, Inc. (FMQAI), in collaboration with numerous long-term care associations and advocacy groups, is providing no-cost educational and technical assistance to Whitehall Boca Raton and other Florida nursing homes. FMQAI is Florida's Medicare quality improvement organization. As part of the NHQI, Medicare is providing information about nursing home quality to consumers to help them make informed decisions. This information is available at the (go to "Nursing Home Compare"), or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE ((561) 395-8824). By accessing this information, consumers can learn about quality measures — such as the incidence of pain, pressure sores and the use of physical restraints — for any facility in the state or across the country. Whitehall Boca Raton encourages residents and family members to discuss these measures or any other questions about quality of care with its staff. |
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When Hurricane Wilma swept through South Florida in 2005, more than 75 percent of the tri-county population was plunged into darkness, and telephone service was crippled. Sustained outtages lasted for weeks in much of the area. But at Whitehall Boca Raton, the impact for residents barely caused a ripple.
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