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TRENTON
- The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services today
unveiled a new and improved inspection-driven rating system of nursing
homes to help consumers shopping for long-term care for themselves
or family members. The web-based report card is posted on the department's
website at www.state.nj.us/health/ltc.
The
performance report replaces an earlier version that was based on
the results of the two most recent federal standard surveys conducted
at each nursing home. The new report also takes into account surveys
conducted in response to complaints and, for the first time, applies
a weighted scoring system that reflects the scope and severity of
deficiencies found during inspection visits.
"This
report takes our rather technical and voluminous inspection data
and puts it into a simple, consumer-friendly on-line reference tool
for consumers," said Acting Health and Senior Services Commissioner
George T. DiFerdinando, Jr., MD. "Together with our other web-base
resources - including our Guide to Long-Term Care Settings - we
hope to make the very difficult decision of selecting a nursing
home or other long-term care option a little easier for New Jersey
residents."
The
report is part of a total re-design of the department's long-term
care website. The new site utilizes a unified facility and inspection
database, putting the information consumers want and need about
a specific long-term care setting into a single on-line document.
The database can be searched by town, county or facility name. It
includes information - including any enforcement actions taken -
on licensed nursing homes, assisted living residences and programs,
residential health care facilities, comprehensive personal care
homes, alternate family care programs, and adult and pediatric day
healthcare services.
The
nursing home performance report uses inspection data collected over
a two-year period 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.
In
the report, nursing homes are awarded points for each evaluated
standard met during surveys conducted at the homes during the preceding
24 months. Points are deducted from standards not met, taking into
account whether the issues identified were isolated or widespread,
and whether they resulted in potential for harm or actual harm to
a resident or residents.
The
top score a nursing home can earn in the performance report is 100,
reflecting no deficiencies found in the evaluated areas in a two-year
period. Consumers can compare nursing homes to each other and to
a 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.
The
New Jersey report's first posting shows a statewide average total
score of 88.73. Thirty-five homes received the top score of 100.
The report will be updated on a regular basis as new surveys are
completed and entered into the database.
Consumers
who want to find out more about specific violations can visit the
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' website at www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp,
or contact the nursing home directly. By law, nursing homes must
have a copy of their most recent survey posted for public review.
Nursing
home scores in the report card are determined by the results of
information gathered during the department's unannounced inspections.
For standard surveys, teams comprised of registered professional
nurses, nutrition consultants and registered pharmacists evaluate
all aspects of resident care and nursing home procedures and practices,
assessing facility compliance with state and federal standards.
The team's evaluation includes inspection of medical records, observation
of resident care, inspection of all areas of the nursing home, and
interviews of residents, family members, staff or other individuals.
Every nursing home in the state is fully inspected once a year on
average and more often if problems are found. Standard surveys are
usually five or more days in duration.
Inspections
in response to complaints are generally shorter in duration than
standard surveys and focus primarily on those areas of resident
care alleged to be at fault. All complaint team members are registered
professional nurses. If, during the course of a complaint investigation
additional problems are uncovered, a full on-site inspection may
be initiated.
New
Jersey is one of the few states to produce a performance report
and, together with it's other web-based resources, is a leader in
providing easy-to-access resources for those seeking long-term care
services.
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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