Retirement News : Seniors : Long Term Care Organization Says "Nursing Home Watch List" ...

Long Term Care Organization Says "Nursing Home Watch List" ...

Date Added: 19-05-2005

May 17, 2005 -- Washington, DC – The American Health Care Association (AHCA) today said that a new “Nursing Home Watch List” issued last week by the Consumers Union, is misleading consumers with its conclusions about quality in our nation’s nursing homes and provides outdated data.

“It is unfortunate that the Consumers Union’s narrowly focused report does not acknowledge the existence of the full range government data concerning nursing home quality, or indicate that nursing home care providers have committed to performance excellence with new programs that are seeing results” stated Hal Daub, AHCA’s President and CEO. He continued, “The vast majority of nursing homes across the nation provide the type of quality, compassionate care that patients, residents and their families want and deserve, but consumers wouldn’t know that by viewing Consumers Union’s 'Watch List'.

“AHCA publicly offered to work with Consumers Union following last fall’s inaccurate report,” stated Daub. “That is why we are especially disappointed to see this outdated assessment of the quality of care available to the more than 1.5 million frail, elderly and disabled Americans that our profession cares for everyday.”

On its web-site, Consumers Union indicates that its report is based upon state inspection surveys, some of which are 6 ½ years old. However the inspection system is subjective, and data varies widely among different areas of the country. And, in a 2003 report, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, Office of Inspector General was critical of inspection data saying: “we cannot conclude whether trends in deficiencies are due to deteriorating care, variations in the survey process, and/or increased enforcement.”

In addition, Daub stated, “Inspection surveys provide only a portion of the information necessary to determine the quality of care provided in a long term care facility.” He urged consumers to look at other sources of information – including data on patient outcomes – such as the government’s www.medicare.gov site or AHCA’s own www.longtermcareliving.com consumer site and visit locations being considered before drawing any conclusions about particular nursing facilities.

In 2002, the long term care profession, patient advocacy organizations and the federal government entered into a collaborative effort known as the Nursing Home Quality Initiative (NHQI) to provide consumers a greater detail of comparative data thus allowing them to make more informed decisions when selecting a skilled nursing setting for themselves or for a loved one. At a December 2004 press conference announcing the measurable success of the two-year program, then U.S. Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson stated "By working together, we're creating a higher quality of life for seniors in nursing homes and having a meaningful impact on the care they receive.”

In addition to the recent release of a study on the positive 2-year results of the NHQI, the federal government has issued three subsequent reports validating the commitment of nursing facility providers quality care that is evident nationwide. Daub concluded by stating, “Consumers Union’s material should include a discussion of quality improvements and other positive changes that are happening in skilled nursing nationwide so consumers get a complete picture of the transformation that is taking place in long term care.”

The American Health Care Association and the National Center For Assisted Living are the nation's leading long term care organizations. AHCA/NCAL and their membership are committed to performance excellence and Quality First, a covenant for healthy, affordable and ethical long term care. AHCA/NCAL represent more than 10,000 non-profit and proprietary facilities dedicated to continuous improvement in the delivery of professional and compassionate care provided daily by 4 million caring employees to more than 1.5 million of our nation's frail, elderly and disabled citizens who live in nursing facilities, assisted living residences, subacute centers and homes for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

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