executive interview series:

Expert Interview: How Facility Quality and Amenities Impact Patient Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities

We recently sat down with Dov Braun, CEO of Nightingale Nursing & Rehab, the only 5-star CMS-rated skilled nursing facility in both Arkadelphia and Glenwood, Arkansas, to discuss how building infrastructure, safety features, and thoughtful amenities directly influence patient outcomes and family satisfaction.

Dov Braun: While clinical excellence is paramount, the physical environment plays a crucial role in recovery and quality of life. Natural light exposure through quality windows significantly impacts residents' circadian rhythms, mood, and overall well-being. At our skilled nursing facilities, we've seen firsthand how proper window placement and energy-efficient designs create therapeutic environments that accelerate rehabilitation. 

Families should also consider whether there are safety features like handrails throughout hallways, bathroom amenities at an accessible height, shower safety features like grab bars and non-slip surfaces, consistent temperature control, and proper ventilation for air circulation. These are essential components of an effective care facility.

Beyond design features, amenities play a really important role in every patient’s quality of life. Families should look for facilities that emphasize emotional well-being and build a sense of community. At Nightingale, we accomplish this with daily events and fun activities, and all our facilities include
thoughtful amenities such as chapels, on-site beauty salons, and recreation rooms with a range of rehab equipment. 

Q: How does building quality specifically affect the skilled nursing facility experience?

Dov Braun: Skilled nursing facilities serve patients with complex medical needs who often require intensive rehabilitation or memory care. Poor insulation, drafty windows, or inadequate climate control create an uncomfortable environment and can compromise immune-vulnerable residents. Quality infrastructure, especially energy-efficient windows, maintains consistent temperatures critical for patient health. A healthy, clean environment is a basic human need. In that way, the building itself almost becomes part of the care plan.

Q: What questions should families ask about a facility's physical infrastructure during tours?

Dov Braun: Beyond the standard skilled nursing facility questions to ask, inquire specifically about window replacement schedules, HVAC systems, and natural light access in common areas and patient rooms. Ask when windows were last upgraded and whether rooms maintain consistent temperatures year-round. Observe the condition of safety features. Are handrails secure? Do bathrooms have proper accessibility features? Is the air fresh and well-circulated? These details reveal management's commitment to a quality care environment. At Nightingale, we've invested significantly in building improvements because we understand that facility design directly correlates with patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

Q: How does natural light impact different patient populations, particularly those needing memory care support?

Dov Braun: Research consistently shows natural light reduces agitation in dementia patients and improves orientation for those requiring memory care. Quality windows that maximize daylight while controlling glare create calm, therapeutic spaces. We always recommend prospective patients and their families visit facilities during different times of day to observe lighting conditions. Our patients often have limited mobility, so bringing natural light to them through strategic window placement is essential.

Q: What advice would you give families considering skilled nursing facility costs against facility quality?

Dov Braun: While skilled nursing facility costs are a valid concern, infrastructure quality and facility programming directly impacts your loved one's daily experience and health outcomes, so paying more for a better equipped facility is usually worth it. Patients benefit immensely from healing environments with proper natural light, temperature stability, on-site amenities for socializing and exercising, life enriching activities and events, and thoughtful design. 

Facilities cutting corners on building maintenance, including window quality, weatherproofing, and climate control, often compromise on care quality as well. The skilled nursing facility average length of stay varies, but even short-term rehabilitation patients benefit from these quality investments. Investment in building quality often reflects investment in patient care.

To learn more about choosing the right skilled nursing facility for your family, visit Nightingale Nursing & Rehab's locations in Arkadelphia and Glenwood, Arkansas.