Quality Measures

• to give information about the care at nursing homes to help consumers choose a nursing facility;
• to give consumers information about the care at facilities where family members or other loved ones already live;
• to encourage consumers to talk to facility staff about the quality of care; and
• to give facilities information to help them improve quality.

  These quality measures were selected because they are important. They show ways in which nursing facilities are different from one another; and they are things that facilities can to make improvements. Quality measures come from resident assessment data that facilities collect on residents during their stay. These measures assess the resident's physical and clinical conditions and abilities, as well as preferences and life care wishes.

  Quality Measures numbers can be used by families or individuals to help them decide what facility in there area might be best for their loved one. The page lists each Quality Measure and provides a definition, explanation, and questions that can be asked of the facility regarding the topic. Consumer Corners emphasizes that the Nursing Home Quality Measures numbers are just a starting point for asking questions about a facility's care and that there is other information that can be useful in evaluating a facility and choosing the best care setting for a loved one.

  Nursing Home Quality Improvement Initiative
  Overview of Quality Measures
  Questions and Answers