U.S. News & World Report has released its annual survey that uses federal data to rate the nation’s best nursing homes. Dozens of local facilities are included in the 2014 results, with more than half of those listed getting an overall rating of five stars. Five stars is the top rating.
The survey uses a star system–from one to five–to evaluate the country’s nearly 16,000 nursing facilities in three categories: health inspections, nurse staffing, and quality of care. In the metropolitan San Diego area, 85 nursing homes were reviewed, and of those 45 were given a five-star rating.
Among the top-rated facilities is the county-operated Edgemoor Skilled Nursing Facility in Santee, which provides 24-hour nursing care, physical rehabilitation, and a variety of medical, social, and psychological services to up to 192 patients at a time. According to officials, county-run nursing homes are rare in California.
“Being recognized in this survey is a great validation of the commitment of the staff to making a real difference in the lives of their patients,” Nick Macchione, director of the County Health and Human Services Agency, said.
The web-based tool is free, and uses data from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The site also offers other resources, including a video on how to choose a nursing home. According to Avery Comarow, U.S. News & World Report’s health rankings editor, visiting the facility you’re consider is essential. He says it’s the only see what numbers, stars and state reports do not reveal.
You can read this year’s complete Best Nursing Homes rankings here.