CHESTNUT HILL — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently awarded EPOCH Senior Healthcare of Chestnut Hill deficiency-free status after its annual survey.  All Massachusetts skilled nursing facilities are subject to an unannounced annual survey that examines quality, safety, administration effectiveness, cleanliness, nursing care, activity programs, protection of resident rights, and food services.

 Surveyors from the Department of Public Health visited EPOCH of Chestnut Hill unannounced to assess compliance with state standards of care. EPOCH of Chestnut Hill had no deficiencies in any of the categories surveyed. EPOCH of Chestnut Hill earned above-average marks in dining, communication with residents, quality of life and in establishing a comfortable, home-like environment.

With increasingly stringent regulations, achieving the deficiency-free rating is more difficult. These surveys and the subsequent ratings are a useful tool for prospective and current residents, their families and health care practitioners, to make informed choices about the quality of a skilled nursing facility.

To learn more about EPOCH of Chestnut Hill or their deficiency-free rating, contact Administrator Ellen Alperen at 617-243-9990. To learn more about EPOCH, visit www.epochsl.com/blog.