Nursing Home Compare System Garners Mixed Reviews
The federal government’s Nursing Home Compare rating system has been in effect for more than six months. It gives the families of nursing home patients a way to compare nursing homes according to state health inspection findings, the number of employees working at each assisted living facility, and the number of hours of licensed nursing care that each patient receives on a daily basis.
15,600 million nursing homes have received their star ratings. A 1-star signifies that the nursing home received a much below average rating compared to other assisted living facilities, while a 5-star means that the government thinks that the quality of nursing care and services that the long-term care facility offers is way above average in comparison.
The new ratings system, however, has earned mixed reviews. The nursing home industry says that it doesn’t offer a full picture of the kind of care that each nursing home actually provides. One consumer group wants the site to give more details about quality-of-care and inspection results. Some industry members want the federal government to change the way the ratings system evaluates staffing because the number of workers at a nursing home is not indicative of the actual care a resident may receive. Some people are also concerned that employee information has not been verified.
The CMS now wants to gather feedback about its Nursing Home Compare rating system. It intends to survey users about whether the site meets their needs.
Finding the Right Nursing Home for Your Loved One
Although reviews can be helpful, it is important that you actually visit a nursing home. Not only will you get a firsthand look at the facilities, but you will be able to watch the nursing staff interact with the residents and get a feel for whether or not the assisted living facility is the right place for your loved one.
Choosing the right Illinois nursing home is an important decision. Every day, sick and elderly patients are victims of Chicago nursing home neglect and abuse. You want to make sure that your loved one does not become one of these people.
Nursing-Home Ratings Earn Mixed Reviews, Washington Post, July 14, 2009
Debate Surrounds Federal System That Rates Nursing Homes, Medical News, July 15, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Nursing Home Compare, Medicare.gov
In the event you suspect that your loved one is being abused or neglected at an Illinois nursing home, contact our Chicago nursing home neglect and abuse law firm today.
