FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2008

Federal Nursing Home Star Rating System Focuses on Compliance, Neglects Quality

CHICAGO – The Health Care Council of Illinois believes that a five-star rating system for nursing homes could have been an excellent tool for consumers, if it had been constructed properly. However, the system launched today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) falls short in helping the public identify the best facilities.

“As with restaurants and hotels, a star rating system might assist consumers in finding quality nursing homes and motivate nursing facilities to provide the best care,” said Terrence Sullivan of the Health Care Council of Illinois. “But, CMS’ rating system assesses homes on past public health compliance surveys, selected quality measures and staffing levels and not programs or services that reach beyond basic care. They are only measuring violations and not the innovative steps homes are taking to promote resident health and well being.”

A good nursing home should not be defined solely by the absence of public health violations, but rather by the presence of quality programs. Many nursing homes throughout Illinois have implemented novel programs and services that are not reflected in the current rating system. Some examples include efforts to increase the rate of healed pressure ulcers, comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention services, services that encourage better detection and treatment of pain, and rehabilitative and restorative programs that benefit residents.

Recently, the long term care profession in Illinois came together to launch a state-wide quality initiative, the Road to Excellence. Today, more than 400 nursing homes are participating in the initiative.

“The Road to Excellence encourages homes to focus on reducing pressure ulcers and managing residents’ pain, formally assess resident and family satisfaction and report program results quarterly for statewide database development,” said Sullivan. “We’re pleased with the innovative and comprehensive programs and services these homes are implementing to provide the very best care for their residents.”

If CMS’ nursing home star rating system had examined the many quality programs and services nursing homes are offering in addition to its current ratings criteria, it could have been a valuable tool in aiding prospective nursing home residents and their families in selecting a quality care facility.

# # #

The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) is a professional association of nearly 500 nursing facilities committed to quality residential health care in Illinois through a productive and responsible partnership between the private and public sectors. HCCI represents more than 65,000 nursing home professionals serving more than 50,000 residents.