Area nursing homes receive mixed ratings

By: Britt Combs | McDowell News
Published: February 08, 2010

Two McDowell nursing homes have received mixed grades from the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The department rates nursing homes annually, based on a variety of factors including health inspections, nursing home staffing and quality measures.

With five stars being the best rating, Autumn Care received a four star rating; Sunrise Rehab received a three star rating. The report can be viewed on the Medicare Web site.

The Medicaid report combines regular health inspections for the past three years, plus any complaint investigations. Autumn Care received four stars. The last health inspection was conducted more than a year ago, Medicare stated, in December 2008.

In the same category, Sunrise received a grade of two stars. The reports said Sunrise failed to develop complete care plans for new residents within a week. It said the facility failed to "make sure the area is free of dangers that cause accidents." Sunrise's most recent inspection was conducted in August of last year, the Medicare Web site stated.

Both facilities were graded equally poorly in handling food; the report saying the deficiencies posed "minimal harm or potential for actual harm."

Both received four stars in staffing. Both were given three stars in quality. Staffing is judged on the level of training and academic credentials the staff has obtained. Quality is a self-reported measure of the quality of life of the residents, including assessment of pain and delirium.

Sunrise Activities Director Sandy Hollifield said her home accepts all residents without regard to the severity of their disabilities. The home strives to provide the level of care needed at an affordable price, she added.

"Whatever grading system they choose to use, we can only recommend you come out here; visit our facility and see what life is like here," she stated. "Do that with any facility you are considering. Ask questions and learn all you can about any available facility.

"We love each one of our residents," added Hollifield. "We are here 24 hours a day to make sure they're as comfortable and happy and full as they can be."

At Autumn Care, outgoing Administrator Mike Weaver agreed with Hollifield's assessment; the five star rating system is a very narrow view of the reality of a nursing home.

"The rating system does not give a true picture of any facility," he said. "It cannot depict a complete picture of the cleanliness or the level and quality of care.

"The best determining factor is a visit," he said "Then you can take a look at any deficiency and judge for yourself how accurate it is and how relevant it is."

To see the Medicare report, click the link at the top of this story.

Area nursing homes receive mixed ratings

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