A Kaiser Health News study found that Texas has the highest percentage of one- and two-star rated nursing homes in the country, as 51 percent of its facilities rank “below average” or “much below average.”
The distressing article signals that families in rural areas rarely have options beyond the poorly rated homes. Kaiser leads with a story of an 85-year-old woman being bitten by a swarm of fire ants that entered into her room in the night, likely through a broken windowsill. Medicare rated the facility, Parkview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lockhart, one-star—its worst possible rating.
Quoting the report:
The problem for Sealy’s family and residents of many parts of the country is they have few, if any, higher-rated options if they want their loved ones close by. In 11 states, 40 percent or more of nursing homes get the two lowest ratings, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.)
Texas has the highest percentage of one-and two-star homes in the country: 51 percent of its nursing homes are rated “below average,” or “much below average,” on Nursing Home Compare, according to the analysis. Louisiana is close behind at 49 percent, with Oklahoma, Georgia and West Virginia tying for third at 46 percent.
Nursing homes dispute the ratings, saying cross-region comparisons are tough because of differing state inspection demands. However, patient advocate groups tells Kaiser that it probably isn’t a bad idea to stay away from one- and two-star rated facilities. Read more here.
