Nationwide Nursing Home Quality Data Released
Medicare Provides Information On Specific Nursing Homes
POSTED: 9:31 am CST November 12, 2002
UPDATED: 4:29 pm CST November 12, 2002
WASHINGTON -- If you're wondering how to judge a particular nursing home, look no further. The government released information Tuesday on all 17,000 nursing homes in the United States. The data, released by Medicare, includes 10 quality indicators, such as how many residents are restrained and the percentage who have bed sores. There is also information about deficiencies found during inspections and any complaints that have been filed. Nursing homes must collect such information to take part in the federal Medicare program. But advocates warn that consumers should not choose a home solely on the new information. They still recommend visiting a facility, talking to people who live there and checking with state officials. Consumers can access the information on Medicare's Web site or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
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