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QUALITY FIRST STANDARDS

AAHSA Quality First.Salemtowne is a Quality First Community. Quality First is a way of ensuring excellence and assessing ourselves based on a set of quality standards that are credible with federal and state agencies and the public. Salemtowne has been a Quality First community for the last five years. Salemtowne was a charter member of the new quality initiative launched by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 2003. Salemtowne signed a covenant pledging to achieve excellence by adhering to the AAHSA Quality First 10 Elements of Quality. Salemtowne will devote our energy and commitment to Quality First because it is compatible to our mission and organizational goals. Quality First has become the framework AAHSA members use to meet the needs of the people they serve.

AAHSA Quality First: 10 Elements of Quality

  1. Commitment – Pledging to maintain and promote ethical practices and the highest standards of quality.
  2. Governance and Accountability – Achieving and maintaining high standards of management and governance to improve quality consistent with our mission and values.
  3. Leading-Edge Care and Services – Implementing models and practices that are based on evidence of successes, represent the tradition of personal service and are adaptable to a changing society.
  4. Community Involvement – Engaging in community citizenship and service – social accountability, volunteer involvement and relationship building.
  5. Continuous Quality Improvement – using CQI methods to enhance existing programs, improved effectiveness and foster a collaborative work environment.
  6. Human Resources Development – providing training, competitive wages/benefits, and a supportive work environment.
  7. Consumer-Friendly Information – Providing accessible and understandable information for older adults, families and caregivers.
  8. Consumer Participation – engaging residents/clients, family members and consumers in care and services.
  9. Research Findings and Education – using and sharing the latest research finding to improved care and services for older adults.
  10. Public Trust and Consumer Confidence – Committing to a policy of outreach, openness and authenticity to increase public understanding of quality aging services and earn the trust of the people we serve and their families – as well as the media, the public and policy makers.