Cypress Basin Hospice recognized with prestigious award

• Cypress Basin Hospice recognized with prestigious award
• Cypress Basin Hospice recognized with prestigious award
• Cypress Basin Hospice recognized with prestigious award
• Hospice employees enjoy a well-deserved BBQ lunch to celebrate their Elites award. COURTESY PHOTO

The morning of Thursday, June 6, was heating up, but it was a welcomed respite from continuous rainy weather as staff members of Cypress Basin Hospice gathered outside the facility. The smell of sizzling steak and chicken wafted from the barbecue, refreshing drinks from the Quick Sips traveling soda truck were passed around. Smiles and laughter echoed across the parking lot as employees celebrated being named as the 2024 CAHPS Honors Elite Recipient.

Executive Director of Cypress Basin Hospice, Ashley Jordan, was full of smiles as she said, “Our team really pulled together over the last several years to help improve quality and that people in our community saw that and gave us that response. We really appreciate that. It means that we can continue doing good things.”

This annual award recognizes agencies that have continuously gone above and beyond in providing high-quality care for patients and compassionate caregiver experiences. It acknowledges the highest- performing agencies by analyzing the performance of the Hospice Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers (CAHPS) survey satisfaction and quality.

To be considered for this award, the agency must have a score above the HEALTHCAREfirst National Performance Score on the Hospice CAHPS Willingness to Recommend question. If that criteria is met, performance is evaluated utilizing a set of 23 additional quality indicator measures. These scores are then compared on a question-by-question basis to a national performance score, calculated from all partnering hospices contained in HEALTHCAREfirst’s Hospice CAHPS database. Honors Elite is awarded to those hospices that score above the national performance score on 100%, or all twenty four, of the evaluated questions.

Nikki Huffman, Director of Community Relations and Development for the Hospice, became tearful as she looked back at the work their team has done and what it means to her, “I’ve heard about it. I’ve read the thank yous, the stories, the articles, thank you notes that families have sent in. I’ve talked to people that I know that we’ve personally taken care of. But really being able to see them in action was a full circle moment for me.”

Cypress Basin Hospice always welcomes volunteers and donations. Even if you are unable to provide donations financially, if you’re looking for a way to give back to the community, volunteering with the Hospice can assist.

“We’re always looking for people that are just willing to go sit and talk with our patients, visit with them, read stories to them, reminisce with them, play bingo with them,” Huffman said. “We have different ways you can volunteer, so we like to try to find your strength and what gives you joy and then pair that with a family or a patient. That way, you’re able to give back and also enjoy what you’ve given to the community.”