Inconsistencies Unearthed in Five-Star Quality Rating System

A Scripps Howard analysis of the CMS Nursing Home Compare system uncovered an uneven level of quality of the country, spotlighting just how complicated it can be to find a good nursing home.

Some of the findings include:

• Institutions run by for-profit corporations (about two-thirds of all nursing facilities) generally receive lower scores than those run by nonprofits.
• Homes with more nursing staff per resident (typically nonprofits) generally fare better in ratings.
• Ratings are lowest in the Southern states and highest in Northeast states.
• Homes that have more than 100 beds tend to have lower ratings in all categories.
• A little more than 20 percent of nursing homes regularly receive the lowest ratings, while 12 to 13 percent have received the top rating.

The study also noted that while about 500,000 residents die each year in nursing homes, more than 2 million return home after a stay of less than three months.

These are just a few highlights of the study. To view it in its entirety, complete with recommendations on how to use the ratings most effectively, click here.