Ohio’s nursing homes admitted over 172,300 people in 2021, with an average of about 86,000 present any given day. These facilities provide an important service for a vulnerable population in exchange for a significant share of the state’s budget.

Researching Nursing Homes

To research a nursing home in Ohio, start with two government tools: the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Care Compare and the Ohio Department of Health’s Long-Term Care Quality Navigator. Care Compare rates all licensed nursing homes on a five-star rating system, while the Long-Term Care Quality Navigator compares nursing homes across the state based on staffing, annual inspections, and quality measures.

Staffing is a crucial factor to consider, as it measures long-term turnover and staff hours per day. Annual inspections are also essential, as they can be triggered by complaints and provide a snapshot of a facility’s quality of care. Quality measures, such as health outcomes like falls and bedsores, are also important to consider.

Additional Resources

For more information, visit the CMS’ Care Compare website or the Nursing Home Inspect database, which allows for state-to-state comparison and tracks penalties and citations. You can also file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Health or contact the Long-term Care Ombudsman program for assistance.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Health through their online complaint form or by emailing [email protected]. Complaints are confidential and can be filed anonymously.

Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.