Transitional Skilled Unit at LVH–17th Street Rates Among Best Nursing Homes in the U.S.

The transitional skilled unit (TSU) at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–17th Street is among the best nursing homes in the country, according to the 2022-2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Homes rankings.

“The TSU offers comprehensive, high-quality senior care, and this ranking reflects our commitment to our patients and their families,” says Michelle Haughney, Director of Operations, TSU. “We treat the whole person when they are at the TSU, not just a medical condition.”

The TSU achieved the highest possible ranking for short-term care and is one of six nursing homes in the Lehigh Valley Metro Area to achieve a five out of five rating.

“This recognition shows our community that high-quality, nationally recognized senior care is accessible close to home,” says Stephen Zieniewicz, President, LVH–Cedar Crest, and Senior Vice President, Lehigh Valley Health Network. “Being ranked among the top nursing homes in the country is something all colleagues who work at the TSU should be proud of.”

For the 2022-2023 rankings, U.S. News evaluated more than 15,000 nursing homes. Of those facilities, 2,426 received a high-performing designation.

“Choosing the right nursing home based on care needs and comfort is a critical decision for prospective residents and their families,” says Zach Adams, health data engineer, U.S. News & World Report. “The Best Nursing Homes ratings highlight nursing homes that excel in short-term rehabilitation and long-term care needs.”

Colleagues who work at the TSU specialize in geriatrics, so patients will receive safe, quality care from a team of experts that understands their specific needs.

The TSU has dedicated physicians and case managers, along with specially trained nurses and physical therapists who can manage and monitor an older patient’s condition and quickly make changes to treatment plans when necessary. The TSU also offers telemedicine along with bedside consultation, which gives patients flexibility for doctor’s visits and won’t disrupt rehabilitation. 

Specialists are also trained in vestibular rehabilitation, which includes exercises to help seniors manage dizziness and imbalance problems. Vestibular therapy can help prevent falls and improve quality of life.

The Best Nursing Homes methodology factors several pieces of data including resident care, safety and outcomes. To calculate the Best Nursing Homes ratings, U.S. News evaluated each nursing home’s performance using a variety of data obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Both short- and long-term ratings include data on consistency of registered nurse staffing, use of antipsychotic drugs and success in preventing ER and hospital visits. Nursing homes rated for long-term care ratings were evaluated on whether a home changed ownership and how well they were staffed on weekends. The short-term rehabilitation rating also includes measures of a home’s success in preventing falls, preventing serious infections and making sure residents are able to return home. 

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