According to the the U.S. News Media Group's annual survey, only 18 nursing homes in the nation – out of more than 15,000 – have received four straight quarters of perfect five-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The 2011 Best Nursing Homes rankings highlights facilities across the nation that provide high-quality care and can be used by millions of elderly Americans and their families to search for a nursing home. The rankings are based on data from Nursing Home Compare, a consumer website run by CMS.
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The report profiles more than 15,000 facilities and ranks them by state, using data and quality ratings from the federal government. It showcases an Honor Roll of 18 homes that received perfect five-star ratings for four consecutive quarters in all three categories in which homes are judged – health inspections, staffing and quality measures.
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"The Best Nursing Homes rankings and search tools were designed to help families deal with the pressure and confusion of picking a home at a difficult time," said Avery Comarow, health rankings editor. "We want them to be able to choose homes according to their own individual needs – closeness to family members, religious affiliation and insurance coverage are just a few of the factors they can select."
The 18 nursing homes that made the 2011 honor roll (listed alphabetically) :
- Alzheimer's Resource Center in Plantsville, Conn.;
- Bethany Skilled Nursing Facility in Framingham, Mass.;
- Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital in Greenville, Me.;
- Dakota Alpha in Mandan, N.D.;
- Jeanne Jugan Residence in Newark,Del.;
- Lourdes Health Care Center in Wilton, Conn.;
- Mary Health of the Sick Convalescent and Nursing Hospital in Newbury Park, Calif.;
- Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam, Conn.;
- Miners' Colfax Medical Center in Raton, N.M. ;
- Orzac Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation in Valley Stream, N.Y.;
- Peconic Landing at Southold in Greenport, N.Y.;
- Rady Children's Hospital Bernardy Center in San Diego;
- Riverview Lutheran Care Center in Spokane, Wash.;
- South Mountain Restoration Center in South Mountain, Pa.;
- SSM Depaul Health Center in Bridgeton, Mo.;
- Westchester Meadows in Valhalla, N.Y.;
- Westview Nursing Care and Rehabilitation in Dayville, Conn.; and
- Wibaux County Nursing Home in Wibaux, Mont.
Click here to read more about the rankings.