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AHC Achieves Highest Overall Quality Rating From the Centers for Medicare, Medicaid

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McKENZIE (JULY 15) — With the closing of McKenzie Regional Hospital last fall, traffic along Hospital Drive dropped significantly. So, when a new sign went up this spring for AHC McKenzie at 175 Hospital Drive, few people noticed.
Formerly known as McKenzie Health Care Center, AHC McKenzie has a long history of providing long-term care in the tri-counties and will continue to be a major local employer and healthcare provider under its new name.
“We were sorry to see the hospital close, but are excited about this new chapter for AHC McKenzie,” says the facility’s administrator, Shawn Wall. “Updating our name from McKenzie Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center to AHC McKenzie doesn’t change who we are, but does help us spread the word that we’re part of the regional network of 29 American Health Communities.”
McKenzie Health Care Center opened its doors in 1994 to provide long-term nursing care, and short-term rehabilitative therapies for those recovering after a hospital stay. Today, the 99-bed facility is the only Carroll County nursing home to hold the highest overall quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).
“We work hard to maintain our five-star quality rating and ensure our residents receive the quality care they deserve,” Wall said.
This dedication to patient care also has earned AHC McKenzie a 2019 Bronze Commitment to Quality Award from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The national award is given to long-term care and skilled nursing facilities that demonstrate a commitment to improving performance and ensuring patient satisfaction. 
Wall said one reason his community excels in patient care is his team includes many employees who have been working there for a decade or more. In fact, several employees have been there more than 20 years, including: Linda Harris, activity director; Kim Baskin, registered nurse; and Alma Scott, Rachel Reaves and Dee Dee Martin, certified nursing assistants.
“Our patients and their families benefit greatly from the knowledge and dedication of our nurses.” said Kim Davis, RN, director of nursing for AHC. “Our nursing staff has extensive experience in providing long-term care, which is very demanding.”
AHC McKenzie also takes pride in its extensive therapy capabilities. A large, inviting therapy gym offers a wide array of practical and high-tech methods to helping patients regain functional abilities after an illness or surgery.  For example, there are full-size kitchen and laundry stations where therapist can help patients practice skills of daily living.
Last fall, the facility launched the Activities, Restorative and Therapy in Sync (ARTS) program using computer-based technology called It’s Never Too Late (iN2L). Funded by a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, Region IV with Civil Monitory Penalty funds, the touch-screen computers engage users in fun and meaningful activities.
“We have an i2NL cycling program and a flight simulator that encourage physical therapy patients to do more and for longer time periods,” said Amber Lipford, a registered occupational therapist and AHC McKenzie’s therapy manager. “We also have music and game options that can help improve cognition, reasoning and memory.”

Taking good care of patients is the staff’s top priority, according to Wall, but the team at AHC McKenzie is also involved in giving back to the community. The facility will sponsor a blood mobile on August 19 from noon to 4:00, and in September it will host local first responders for the annual community disaster preparedness training. This training has been held at AHC McKenzie for the past two years.
AHC McKenzie’s s also helping train the next generation of nurses and nursing assistants. The community is the clinical site for McKenzie High School’s certified nursing assistant class and periodically offers free onsite classes for individuals who want to become nursing assistants. Bethel University also sends nursing and physician assistant (PA) students to AHC McKenzie for clinical training.
“It is a privilege to work with these students and provide them with opportunities to improve their skills by working side-by-side with our nursing staff,” says Davis.
Giving back for AHC McKenzie is not always serious business. Sometimes it’s just plain fun. For example, every July 4th, the community hosts a cookout with live entertainment and a fireworks display.  About 200 residents and family members, staff and their families come together for this annual celebration, which has been going on for over 10 years.
“We may be operating under a new name, but we have the same caring ownership and management that our residents have come to trust,” said Wall. 
American Health Communities (AHC) is a division of American Health Partners, a 30-year-old company based in Franklin, Tenn., which also owns home health and hospice agencies, psychiatric hospitals and health plans for nursing home residents.


 About AHC McKenzie
AHC McKenzie is a 99-bed senior living, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care facility located in McKenzie, Tennessee. The center boasts an extensive offering of skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, including vital stem speech therapy. The facility accepts Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance.  AHC McKenzie is one of 29 skilled nursing and rehabilitation communities operated by American Health Communities (AHC), a division of American Health Partners, Inc., which is based in Franklin, Tenn. For more information, go to AHCseniorcare.com or call (731) 352-3908.


About American Health Communities
American Health Communities (AHC) is a division of American Health Partners, Inc. and oversees all aspects of operations for 29 senior living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in the Southeast U.S. This division specializes in caring for seniors by offering the full range of short-term and long-term care in a home-like environment. AHC is a division of Franklin, Tenn.-based American Health Partners, Inc., a multi-faceted healthcare organization that also provides homes health and hospice services, inpatient psychiatric care and Medicare Advantage plans. For more information, go to AHCseniorcare.com.

AHC, McKenzie, American Health