For seniors and their families, it is often difficult to get enough information regarding the staffing level, the number of patients with bed sores, violations and other data that shed light on the quality of care provided before they choose a nursing home for themselves or a loved one. In an effort to improve care and make this information accessible to the public, the Bush administration will start rating all 16,000 facilities based on a five-star system in addition it also requires all facilities to install fire sprinklers.
The rating system, which will be available on the Medicare website by the end of the year, will give each nursing home a one to five star rating based on government inspection results, staffing data and quality measures. It may also include information on whether a nursing home provides care for patients with dementia or those on ventilators. Kerry Weems, administrator of several different Medicare and Medicaid services, believes that, “The fact a home has a lower rating will likely put them on a path to improvement.”
Mr. Weems said the agency is aiming for easy use, and is accepting public comments in July and August on the site and its contents. He also said, “Requiring all nursing homes to install sprinklers by 2013 is an important step toward safety.” Only new nursing homes and ones currently being renovated are required to install sprinklers. According to Medicare, 80% of current nursing homes have sprinkler systems already. However, the lack of sprinklers has been blamed for 31 deaths in nursing-home fires in Hartford, Conn., and Nashville, Tenn.
For families it is a very difficult and stressful time when choosing the right nursing home for their loved ones. There is always the worry of leaving your love one in the hands of someone else. They are required to trust facilities provide a safe, nurturing environment and quality care. However this is not the case sometimes. Thankfully, this new rating system seems like a step in the right direction towards changing the ever growing problem of poor nursing home care.
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