Where the Heart Is

Medicare assigned rating based on weighted score from recent health inspections. More stars mean lower health risks.

Certified nursing homes must meet standards set by the federal government to protect residents. Examples of these standards include:

• Preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation
• Hiring enough quality staff to provide adequate care
• Managing medications properly
• Protecting residents from physical and mental abuse
• Storing and preparing food properly

State survey agencies conduct health inspections about once a year on behalf of the federal government and may inspect nursing homes more often if the nursing home is performing poorly, if there are complaints, or if the facility reported incidents. The health inspection team consists of trained inspectors, including at least one registered nurse.

Using the federal government’s standards, the inspection team looks at many aspects of life in the nursing home including, but not limited to:

• The care of residents and the processes used to give that care
• How the staff and residents interact
• The nursing home environment