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The Andalusia Comfort Care Hospice recently was named a Premier Performer in Caregiver Satisfaction for the second year in a row.

Strategic Healthcare Programs, a national quality benchmarking organization, awarded the hospice with the title.

The recognition was awarded to facilities who ranked in the top five percent in national quality measures. With over 1,900 hospice facilities included in the database, those awarded Premier Performer scored above the state and national average.

“We are proud of the Andalusia team for achieving premier status as part of the SHPBest program,” CEO of Comfort Care LLC Alan Parker said. “This office has served Covington, Coffee and Geneva counties for 16 years and has earned a reputation for quality hospice care with their consistent performance.”

CCH of Andalusia was also recognized as Premier Performer for the 2017 reporting year and Superior Performer for the 2016 reporting year.

The hospice team consists of physicians, nurses, nurse aides, social workers, chaplains and volunteers. Therapy and dietary counseling are also available. Grief and bereavement support is provided for a period of up to 13 months after the death of a loved one. The Andalusia office also provides monthly veteran, Alzheimer’s and grief support groups.

“Patient and caregiver satisfaction is paramount to us,” Administrator Mitzi Butler said. “We realize that a diagnosis that leads someone to hospice is a major event for the patient, their family and loved ones, and we are committed to honoring the significance and sacredness of this time in their life by striving to provide quality care. We want our patients and families to be pleased with our care, and we want them to always feel that they have been treated with dignity and respect.”

CCH of Andalusia is also a level four We Honor Veteran’s partner with the Veteran’s Administration, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

“We are actively pursuing the highest distinction of Level Five, and we are on track to meet the requirements next spring,” Butler said. “We are committed to our community and want to be a resource for all.”

Butler said her team embodies their saying, “A++, nothing less, every day and every way.”

“All of our team members here have completely bought into that saying,” Butler said. “Chick Earl came up with that saying and it just stuck with me. He just made such an impression on me with that saying.”

Though the hospice is grateful for the recognition, Butler said they are not perfect in any way.

“I want everybody to know that we are not perfect,” Butler said. “Until every single patient, caregiver and referral source we come into contact with is pleased, then we are not where we need to be. We are very grateful and we are going to continue to maintain a high standard and improve until everybody is happy.”

Vickie Wacaster with Comfort Care said they are only as good as the care they provide.

“I have said that for years,” Wacaster said. “We continually strive to provide A++ service. I believe in this team with every fiber of my being. They are absolutely excellent.”

Patients may be able to receive hospice services if they have a diagnosis with a life-limiting condition that includes cancer, liver disease, lung disease, heart disease, neurological diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, congestive heart failure and COPD. The goal of hospice is to improve quality of life by providing pain and symptom management and by providing the right amount of emotional and spiritual support. Medications, supplies and durable medical equipment are also provided by the hospice benefit.