PBMC Skilled Nursing Facility earns top rating in national nursing home survey

Peconic Bay Medical Center’s Skilled Nursing Facility has earned national bragging rights for the fourth year in a row.

The facility has again been named one of the nation’s highest quality nursing homes by U.S. News & World Report, in its “Best Nursing Homes” rankings for 2016-2017, released last month.

The five-star ranking—the highest ranking awarded—has become an annual honor for the 60-bed nursing home and rehabilitation center, which is located at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead. This is the facility’s fourth straight appearance at the top of the U.S. News “Best” rankings. The facility has also received a similar five-star (highest) ranking from Nursing Home Compare, the public ranking service of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to a PBMC press release.

“The quality, compassion and dedication of our nurses and support staff are truly extraordinary,” said PBMC president and CEO Andrew Mitchell. “Our staff members truly believe in treating patients as though they are treasured members of their [own] extended families. We are thrilled that they are getting the recognition they deserve.”

Peconic Bay Medical Center is part of Northwell Health, New York State’s largest health care organization. The Peconic Bay Skilled Nursing Facility provides short-term rehabilitation for patients recovering from surgeries, accidents, injuries and strokes, as well as long-term care, palliative care and end-of-life care. One of its specialties is providing advanced rehabilitation services for post-operative joint replacement patients.

“The five-star rating is a reflection of our focus on active nursing care in engaging with each patient,” said Anna Law, PBMC assistant vice president for skilled nursing and rehabilitation. “The study showed our nurses give each patient much greater personal attention compared to the New York State and national averages.”

The U.S. New & World Report study noted that patients at the Peconic Bay Skilled Nursing Facility received a daily average of 344 minutes of nursing care from registered and licensed nursing professionals, which is 44 percent more than the New York State average and 38 percent more than the national average for nursing homes, and that incidence of patient falls and pressure ulcers were less than half the New York State average. Past reports have shown that Peconic Bay patients also receive nearly four times as much care from physical therapy staff members as the New York State and national averages.

“This is truly an honor our entire team can be proud of,” said Ron McManus, PBMC senior vice president, who is the chief administrator for the nursing home. “They all care deeply about the comfort and safety of the patients. We have a lot of highly trained and dedicated professionals here, but the one thing they have in common is an outstanding level of compassion.”

According to McManus, a dedication to continuous improvement in care is a long-standing focus and an every-day practice at the facility.  Additional improvements scheduled for 2017 include a new cardiac rehab program with real-time telemetry exercise monitoring. It will be the first program of its kind among skilled nursing facilities on Long Island.

A fully staffed facility offering 24-hour medical coverage and immediate proximity to hospital and emergency services, the Peconic Bay Skilled Nursing Facility accepts patients on referral from discharge planners at hospitals from throughout the tri-state area, as well as direct referrals from primary care physicians.