The Minnesota Veterans Home - Silver Bay has achieved a trifecta that is unheard of in the long-term care industry: zero deficiencies on three quality surveys in a row!

Skilled Nursing Facilities like the Silver Bay Veterans Homes are inspected – referred to as “surveyed” – at least annually to ensure quality of Resident care. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) completes annual surveys on behalf of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). And because the Home serves Veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also completes an annual survey. The MDH annual surveys were completed in March 2022 and March 2023; the recent VA survey took place in March 2023.

All three of these surveys resulted in “zero deficiencies” for the Home. “This means that we are operating in total compliance with state and federal regulations regarding the care and services provided to the Residents and overall environment,” according to Paula Newinski, Quality Director for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

Surveys assess numerous components of Resident care and experience such as:

• Hiring enough quality staff to provide adequate care
• Managing medications properly
• Protecting residents from physical and mental abuse
• Storing and preparing food properly
• Care of residents and the processes used to give that care
• How the staff and residents interact
• Nursing home environment

Inspectors also review the residents' clinical records, interview residents and family members, as well as caregivers and administrative staff. MDH surveys are always unannounced, so surveyors can show up at any time. VA surveys are also unannounced; however, occur annually in the same month as the Home’s initial certification.

“An accomplishment like this would not be possible without such an outstanding and compassionate team,” said Dani Donner, Silver Bay Veterans Home Administrator. “I am so proud of all the staff and everything they do for our Veterans. I am honored to be part of such an amazing team!”

Director of Nursing Rennae Houle-Burns just joined the Silver Bay Veterans Home team in December 2022 and was pleased to have such a positive outcome during her first survey experience. “We appreciate the opportunity to participate in regulatory survey processes to ensure we are meeting the defined standards of care,” she said. “If there are things that we can do better or differently to improve, we want to be made aware of them and make the needed changes. We are committed in providing our Residents with the highest standards of care and best quality of life with an ongoing focus on exceeding their expectations.”

Noting that the survey results are a reflection on the Home’s staff, Rennae added: “I am extremely proud of all the employees at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay for the care we provide to our Veterans and their families. Our zero deficiency surveys reinforce our focus and commitment in providing the exceptional care our Veterans and their families deserve.”

Visit the Minnesota Veterans Homes page for more information on our current Homes and new Homes.