This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The recent investigative series by Matt Canham regarding the quality of care in nursing homes highlights some important issues. However, it misleads consumers to believe there is not adequate information available to determine nursing home placement.
Nursing home placement should not be made solely on the results of inspections but with all resources available. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognizes the need for making the results of nursing home performance visible. Inspection results, quality measures and staffing information are currently available at www.medicare.gov. HealthInsight, the Medicare quality improvement organization for Utah, also recognizes performance and improvement through our national rankings and quality awards, which are available at www.healthinsight.org.
Dana Hawes
Communications director
HealthInsight
Salt Lake City
