Montereau’s general and professional liability insurance coverage is provided by Caring Communities. With more than 400 Member facilities, the Caring Communities organization is the largest Member-owned liability insurance company to exclusively serve not-for-profit senior housing and care organizations. For nearly 20 years, Caring Communities has helped its Members foster safer, healthier environments for residents and employees. As an insurance and risk management solution company, Caring Communities believes the most effective approach to risk is a proactive one. For Montereau, membership benefits include an array of resources and tools to ensure we continue to provide high-quality care and services in a safe and secure manner.
Tammy Brown, Health Services Chief Operating Officer and Administrator, is designated as Montereau’s Corporate Risk Manager. In this capacity, she serves as the liaison representing Montereau to Caring Communities. An important function of this role is to oversee the implementation and continuation of specific guidelines in eight key areas, referred to as “Prescriptives.”
Tammy explained, “These research-based Prescriptives are designed to enhance resident safety and care and reduce litigation risk.” Requirements in the Prescriptives include having a designated Corporate Risk Manager who is a Certified Professional in Aging Risk Management (CPASRM), attending the National Aging Services Management Conference, and participation in monthly educational webinars.
Since becoming a Caring Communities Member in 2017, Tammy, along with other Leadership Team Members, has worked diligently to assess Montereau and increase the level of risk management provided. To date, there have been three site visits to evaluate the effectiveness of the Prescriptives on the Montereau Campus. There is great news to report – Montereau’s scorecard evaluation is an A (98th percentile)! Tammy is quick to point out that this score was earned through team effort, saying, “It is our goal at Montereau to continue to meet and exceed the criteria of the eight Prescriptives. It is critical that we all work together to mitigate risk for our residents.”
Aside from Tammy, three employees in various leadership positions have earned the CPASRM certification including Angela Larson, Chief Financial Officer; Dana Hammer, Director of Nursing; and Rachel Graham, RN, Quality Care Coordinator. Once earned, the certification is valid for three years by earning continuing education credits.
As a result of the outstanding efforts at Montereau, Tammy was asked to present her formula for Risk Management success at the Caring Communities Conference last spring. Her presentation highlighted the importance of working as a team in achieving organizational accountability and how the role of Risk Manager provides a central point of contact for sharing critical information, including education and initiatives, with the Board of Directors, residents and staff of the community. She also emphasized the importance of timely and accurate reporting of information and initiatives.
Tammy points out, “Risk Management is a collaborative, community effort with the goal of reducing risk throughout the organization.” Rest assured that having a culture of safety and caring is a vital component in supporting the residents and staff of Montereau. ?
Rachel Graham, Angela Larson, Dana Hammer and Tammy Brown are dedicated to risk management and have each earned the CPASRM certification.