The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) released the results of the 2010 survey on resident and family satisfaction with nursing home care Rhode Island. For the fifth consecutive year, this annual survey indicates that nursing home care, on average, surpassed the national standard. In Rhode Island, 92% of residents and of family members rated their satisfaction with the facility as either “Good” or “Excellent.” In comparison, 89% of residents and 87% of family members in the national database gave such positive ratings. “These comparative data show that nursing homes’ continued focus on quality of life and the individual choices of residents is important and valuable,” said Interim Director of Health Michael Fine, MD. “That 92% of residents and family members would recommend their nursing home to anyone needing skilled care testifies to the quality of nursing homes in our state.” Together with publicly available information about care outcomes, the satisfaction scores provide additional information consumers can use to make informed choices when selecting a nursing home. “This process allows individuals to give feedback about nursing homes,” said Gail Patry, Director of Long Term Care at Quality Partners of Rhode Island and Chair of the public reporting program’s Nursing Home Subcommittee. “The data also help nursing homes monitor their own residents’ experiences.” Information describing how these scores are put together and the individual nursing home scores can be viewed at http://www.health.ri.gov/nursinghomes/about/quality/index.php
This project is the result of a collaboration by all of the licensed nursing homes in Rhode Island; the Rhode Island Health Care Association; LeadingAge Rhode Island; the Alliance for Better Long Term Care; the Rhode Island Department of Human Services; the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs; the Rhode Island Long Term Care Coordinating Council; and the Department of Health's contractor, Quality Partners of Rhode Island.