The AHCA/NCAL Quality Award program is the long-term care sector’s most recognized quality improvement framework. Earning a Silver or Gold award signals that a facility has demonstrated systematic, measurable performance excellence — not just met a minimum standard.
The AHCA Quality Award Levels
- Bronze Commitment to Quality: Demonstrates the foundation of a quality improvement system — leadership, strategic planning, and a customer focus
- Silver Achievement in Quality: Demonstrates a systematic approach to improving processes and outcomes across clinical and operational areas, with measurable results
- Gold Excellence in Quality: The highest level — sustained, outstanding performance across all organizational dimensions
What the Award Process Involves
The AHCA Quality Award is not self-reported. Applicants must complete a rigorous written application documenting their approach to quality in seven categories: Leadership; Strategy; Customers; Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management; Workforce; Operations; and Results. Applications are evaluated by trained examiners against the Baldrige Excellence Framework.
Why It Matters for Families
An AHCA Silver or Gold award indicates that a facility has moved beyond reactive care management to proactive, data-driven quality improvement. Facilities at this level consistently track clinical outcomes, solicit resident and family feedback, and make systematic adjustments when performance falls short.
Scenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is an AHCA Silver Quality Award recipient — one of a select group of Missouri nursing homes recognized for this achievement.
