November
12, 2002
News specialist Shelley Osterloh reporting
The federal
government says it wants to help Americans make good choices
about nursing homes. Today it released information on all
17,000 nursing homes in the United States --- including the
92 nursing homes here in Utah.
There
are 10 quality indicators, including how many residents are
restrained or the percentage who have bed sores.
But giving concrete information about the quality of care
in nursing homes is only part of the program. The other part
is giving care providers training and information on how to
improve the care they give.
All of the information is based on data that nursing homes
must routinely collect from residents as part of their participation
in the federal Medicare program -- information officials now
hope will help consumers make informed choices about nursing
homes.
"We are committed to providing nursing home quality information
that is understandable, accurate and relevant to consumers,
as well as helpful to the nursing homes as they work to strengthen
the quality of care they give to the thousands of Utah residents
who rely on them," says Tilly Rollin, CMS, with the Center
for Medicare Services.
The report also shows where nursing homes need to improve,
and they can get help from quality improvement organizations
based in each state and under contract with Medicare. And
that's something nursing homes say they can use.
"Representing
as I do the long term providers in the state ... I want you
to know that these measures, these quality measures aren't
just good for consumers, they are good for business and nursing
homes alike," says Joan Gallegos, Executive Director
for Utah Health Care Association.
"I really think it's an excellent system and is going to
help a great deal," says Paul Ogilvie with Arlington Hills
Care Center.
Advocates warn that consumers should not choose a home solely
on the new information.
They still recommend visiting a facility, talking to people
who live there and checking with state officials.
|
