McKnight’s author, Kimberly Marselas, reports that beginning July 27th updated five-star metrics to assess nursing homes could harm an estimated 10% to 16% of facilities. Marselas writes that according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services the new metrics will include the turnover rates for RNs, administrators as well as a number of nursing home staff present at facilities on weekends. There are new rules regarding the manner in which stars are awarded to nursing home facilities that have staffing levels above the norm. For instance, the article says that new metrics allow only five-star staffing-rated facilities the opportunity to gain an additional star. Marselas spoke with Spencer Blackman, “the director of product at the analytics firm StarPro”, who believes these new metric changes will be an efficient way to improve the overall ratings of nursing homes.
However, these new metrics are bound to bring some challenges to the nursing home industry as Blackman says that earning a 5-star staff rating is very costly. The new metric’s high prioritization of turnover rates for RN’S, administrators, and nursing home staff on weekends stunned Blackman. Marselas writes that a firm expects the greatest number of points will be awarded to “31% of facilities concerning RN turnover, 26% regarding total nurse turnover, and 47% of facilities for administration turnover.” Steven Littlehale, “a chief innovation officer at Zimmet Healthcare Services Group,” adds that these new metrics are relevant to the overall level of patient care in nursing home facilities. Littlehale goes on to say that steady staffing levels on weekdays, as well as weekends, are associated with a secure nursing home facility.
Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney
When choosing a nursing home facility for you or your loved ones, please examine their overall ratings and staffing levels. Additionally, please check in with your loved ones at their facility to make sure they are receiving the proper care they deserve. If you, a family member, or a friend has been a victim of nursing home abuse and/or neglect, please contact our experienced team of attorneys at Dougherty, Leventhal & Price, L.L.P. Remember: Injury? Call DLP! (570) C-A-L-L-D-L-P.
Works Cited
Marselas, Kimberly. “Thousands of Nursing Homes face lower Five-Star ratings with changes to staffing stars.” McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, 11 July 2022, https://www.mcknights.com/news/thousands-of-nursing-homes-face-lower-five-star-ratings-with-changes-to-staffing-stars/. Accessed 11 July 2022.
