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TRENTON
- New Jersey's web-based nursing home report card now includes additional
quality measures to help consumers shopping for long-term care make
better informed decisions.
The
New Jersey Report Card for Nursing Homes, an inspection-driven rating
system of nursing homes launched in 1999 and accessible at www.state.nj.us/health/ltc,
has added a link to a new federal database through which consumers
can compare nursing homes to each other and to the state average
in ten specific quality areas.
"These
two resources, our report card and the federal database, take comprehensive
information about nursing home quality and care measures from inspection
reports and resident assessments and convey it in a format that
is easy for consumers to understand and utilize," said Health
and Senior Services Commissioner Clifton R. Lacy, M.D.
The
new database, developed and maintained by the federal Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) utilizing information reported
by nursing homes, shows the percentage of long-stay residents who
need increased help with daily activities or who have infections,
bed sores, are in pain or require physical restraints. The report
also shows the percentage of short-stay residents with delirium
or pain, as well as the proportion who improve their ability to
walk while in the facility.
Noting
that The New Jersey Report Card for Nursing Homes receives an average
of 6,000 web-hits each month, Dr. Lacy said, "Information on
nursing home quality is very important to consumers, but is equally
valuable for nursing home administrators and staff."
Dr.
Lacy said the Department of Health and Senior Services has joined
with the Peer Review Organization of New Jersey (PRONJ), nursing
home industry representatives and others to seek ways to improve
nursing home performance in the 10 quality measures included in
the CMS database. PRONJ will recruit up to 50 nursing homes willing
to volunteer to be part of a three-year study to determine which
care strategies result in improved outcomes for residents. These
best practices will then be shared with nursing home providers statewide.
The
information contained in the CMS database and on the Department
of Health and Senior Services report card gives consumers two complementary,
yet distinct, on-line references measuring the quality of care in
New Jersey nursing homes.
The
CMS database posts percentages for each nursing home for ten selected
quality measures, allowing consumers to compare information regarding
nursing homes they might be considering, as well as to the statewide
average. This database relies on data collected during facility
inspections and information reported by nursing homes to CMS every
time a resident assessment is completed. For their on-line report,
CMS risk-adjusted the data to take into account individual resident
differences in vulnerability for certain health outcomes.
In
The New Jersey Report Card for Nursing Homes, nursing homes receive
scores based on the results of standard surveys and complaint investigations
conducted during the previous 24 months. The report applies a weighted
scoring system that reflects the scope and severity of deficiencies
found during inspection visits. The report card uses inspection
data to measure and compare nursing home compliance with 50 specific
federal quality standards in the areas of nursing care, resident
rights, food services, environment and administration. These criteria
represent key indicators of quality of life and quality of care
within nursing homes.
As
with the CMS database, consumers using the Department's report card
can compare nursing homes to each other and to the statewide average
score. New Jersey has approximately 380 nursing homes caring for
more than 55,000 state residents. The report includes data on the
360 nursing homes that accept Medicare or Medicaid for payment.
Both
the report card and the CMS database offer a snapshot of care and
compliance with federal regulations. Individuals shopping for long-term
care are strongly encouraged to visit the facilities they are considering
and to discuss with administration any questions or concerns raised
by facility scores in these reports. Consumers should also discuss
their options with friends and family and consult physicians and
other health care providers.
To
view The New Jersey Report Card for Nursing Homes and the new quality
measures posted by CMS, visit the Department's website at www.state.nj.us/health/ltc.
Persons without Internet access can get printed information from
the performance report or other areas of the long-term care database
by calling the Department at 609-984-8177.
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