Nursing homes to post quality ratings

SACRAMENTO — Nursing homes in California will now be required to post ratings, much like restaurants, as a result of legislation prompted by a Los Angeles County supervisor.

The bill, authored by Assembly members Mike Feuer and Cameron Smyth at the request of Supervisor Michael Antonovich, requires nursing homes to post ratings issued by the federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The rating is based on a five-star system, with five stars being the highest quality, and ranks the facility against others in the state.

It is based on an assessment of medical care, staffing levels, food services, sanitation, bedsore mitigation and the results of licensing inspections.

“The nursing home grading system will provide families vital information about the quality of care for their loved ones,” Antonovich said. “It also provides incentives for facilities to establish higher quality standards and compliance.”

The federal agency which provides the rating offers detailed information about every Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country at http://www.medicare.gov/nhcompare.