Selective Application of Technology Improves Quality of Service and Care

Kendal System Implementing Electronic Health Records

September 2009

"We are making history here!" says Kendal's Director for Health Services Peggy Sinnott of the implementation of Answers On Demand software throughout the Kendal System. AOD's AnswersElite is an integrated software solution for continuing care retirement communities, offering health services, finance, human resources solutions. READ MORE.

Dining Services Utilizes Software Programs to Enhance the Dining Experience

August 2008

CBORD is a Windows operating system that allows Kendal affiliates to share and tailor menus and recipes, store and retrieve nutrition information, and evaluate cost effectiveness. COMCASH is a program that streamlines accounting for dining and grocery programs. READ MORE.

SARA from Status Solutions

February 2008

Several Kendal affiliates have recently begun implementation of a system from Status Solutions called SARA (Situational Awareness and Response Assistant). SARA is an automated alerting system that connects to various systems being used in the community (such as nurse call, fire and smoke detection, and heating and air conditioning systems). READ MORE About Kendal Installations.

COLLAGE: The Art & Science of Healthy Aging

COLLAGE, The Art & Science of Healthy Aging was created in 2005 as a joint venture between Kendal Outreach, LLC, a not-for-profit subsidiary of The Kendal Corporation, and the Institute for Aging Research at Hebrew SeniorLife, a not-for-profit organization affiliated with Harvard Medical School. COLLAGE is a customized suite of standardized and systematic assessment instruments that evaluate health and wellness in areas such as memory loss, nutrition, balance and mental well-being. The information is collected in a national repository and disseminated to a consortium network consisting of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), congregate senior housing sites, both market rate and subsidized, and senior service agencies. COLLAGE reports are provided to the COLLAGE membership on two platforms: individual resident assessment and organizational performance assessment of individual housing sites or service centers that seek effective interventions, preventive programs and focused services. READ MORE About Kendal and COLLAGE.

EQuIP for Quality ™ - a Quality First Initiative

EQuIP for Quality, a continuous quality improvement software, is being used throughout the Kendal system in conjunction with MDS assessment data to assess the multiple, complex needs of residents in skilled care and to identify areas of concern early enough to develop and implement preventive treatment plans. The program, based on clinical research studies, can predict falls, pressure ulcers, and urinary tract infections and, as a result, staff are able to intervene to prevent adverse outcomes. EQuIP can identify inconsistencies in data entered in the MDS which allows nursing facilities to improve accuracy.

EQUIP is an internet-based software system that utilizes up-to-date MDS data to provide Quality Measure/Quality Indicator reports to our staff on a 24/7 real-time basis. It also allows Kendal's skilled nursing facilities to compare their data to that of other facilities in their state, as well as to a large national benchmark database of over 1,200 nursing homes. EQUIP offers access to technical and clinical experts to assist in interpreting data and in identifying best practices to improve outcomes. It was developed by New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (NYAHSA) and is endorsed by The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) for their Quality First initiative.