|
Medicare has recently unveiled a program to give nursing homes a ranking system based upon a five-star level of ratings. The determining factors include staffing and the results of state inspections. The nursing home industry is already beginning to defend itself by claiming that the rating system is unfair. Obviously, they do not like the idea that an outside source is looking in and evaluating an industry that by all methods of evaluating is generally providing substandard care to our disabled and elderly. Sadly, the nursing home industry is making a huge profit, but provides generally understaffed homes with undertrained and underpaid personnel. The tragic results are that too many seniors and disabled suffer with bedsores, malnutrition, urinary tract infections and other avoidable health problems. Those who assist the victims of nursing home abuse feel that the Medicare system is a step in the right direction, but is still not adequate to properly rate the nursing homes. It is inadequate because a certain portion of the information is self-reported by the nursing homes themselves. However, even utilizing this standard, 22 percent of the nation's 16,000 nursing homes received the lowest rating in this new five-star system, while only 12 percent received the highest rankings. If you have a loved one who has suffered harm or injury through nursing home abuse or neglect, Christian & Davis stands ready to evaluate this matter and assist if appropriate.
|
