Only 19 of the state’s 347 nursing homes were identified by a state advocacy organization as having good inspection records over the past three years. None was from Lawrence.
Only 19 of the state’s 347 nursing homes were identified by a state advocacy organization as having good inspection records over the past three years. None was from Lawrence.
Kansas Advocates for Better Care recently released its annual list of nursing homes that have had five or fewer deficiencies for each of its three most recent inspections by the Kansas Department on Aging. The national average for deficiencies cited during an annual inspection is eight, and in Kansas the average is 14.
“This information is presented to help educate consumers who are shopping for nursing homes and for those who live in them or have family in nursing homes,” said Lenette Hamm, office manager for Kansas Advocates for Better Care, or KABC. “We believe this is one of several consumer information tools to be used when assessing potential long-term care facilities.”
The closest nursing home to Lawrence to make the positive inspection list was Hoeger House in Olathe, which had five deficiencies during its most recent inspection. There were six nursing homes that had no deficiencies: Dooley Center, Atchison; Pioneer Lodge, Coldwater; Emporia Presbyterian, Emporia; Frankfort Community Care, Frankfort; Medicalodges Kinsley, Kinsley; and Bethany Home Association, Lindsborg.
Of those on the list, 14 were operated by not-for-profit corporations and five were for-profits. Last year, 17 nursing homes made the list.
KABC is a nonprofit agency based in Lawrence and it has been advocating for high-quality, long-term care for frail and elderly residents since 1975.
A couple of weeks ago, KABC released a poor performance list of 81 Kansas nursing homes that exceeded the national average of 10 or more deficiencies, and Lawrence’s Brandon Woods at Alvamar was on the list.
According to KABC, there are three nursing homes in Lawrence, and here is how many deficiencies were cited on each of their past three inspections, which are listed on Medicare.gov:
• Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community: 7 in September 2010; 3 in August 2009; 4 in August 2008. In 2009, one of the deficiencies was for actual harm.
• Lawrence Presbyterian Manor: 4 in September 2011; 0 in July 2010; and 7 in May 2009.
• Brandon Woods at Alvamar: 20 in June 2011; 10 in May 2010; and 19 in March 2009. In June, two were for actual harm and two were for mistreatment, which can range from paperwork issues to actual physical harm. In 2010, one was for mistreatment, and in 2009 one was for actual harm and one was for mistreatment.
KABC looks at three years of inspections to identify trends in care versus a snapshot.
“Things can change in a heartbeat in a nursing home — both in good ways and in not so good ways,” Hamm said. “By observing three inspections, sometimes you can identify trends for consistent care whether it’s good or bad. This can be especially helpful with citations as they relate to the person who needs the care. For instance, if a prospective resident is known to have problems with urinary tract infections, and the facility has consistently been cited for issues relating to UTIs, it might be a facility to avoid or be considered very cautiously.”
For more information about nursing homes or long-term care, contact the agency by phone at 800-525-1782 or by email at info@kabc.org, or visit its website at kabc.org.
Tagged: Kansas Advocates for Better Care, nursing homes, deficiencies
Comments
chocolateplease (anonymous) says…
Since the city wants more retirees to live here, are they paying attention to this problem? These nursing homes need to improve. Why is it hard for them? Who would want to retire in Lawrence knowing that the only options for when they might need such care are deficient?
oneeye_wilbur (anonymous) replies…
Lawrence is not going to become a retirement community because there is no true retirement community ever been built.
As far as nursing homes, the biggest problem is staffing. Lawrence has at best a minimal workforce.
The pay is not that great and even if the wage was higher that does not insure better care. Just look at what coaches get paid. HIgh pay does not equal winning.
Nursing homes have always had problems and no with advocacy groups meddling, even the slightest nuance of "bad" comes to light. Just wait till the chef quits at Meadowlark and the inmates there start banging their plates for better quiche.
BigDog (anonymous) says…
It would be nice if Kansas Advocates for Better Care were more specific and not so general in their criticism .... but that is often how advocacy organizations are. I know I used to work for one.
I am not saying that there are not bad nursing homes but to base their criticism on the number of deficiencies is purely a joke for anyone who knows anything about the nursing home inspection system. Saying that only 19 of 347 nursing homes are good based upon numbers of deficiencies is also a joke.
What matters is the level of deficiency and the quality of care. A nursing home can get a deficiency for items that you and I would say if it were in our home has nothing to do with our health and safety like peeling paint on an exterior door and like items. The real criticism should be on items that impact the health and safety of those living there. That is why numbers of deficiencies matters less than what types of deficiencies that they are.
And no I do not work in a nursing home industry, advocate or job related to it.
jafs (anonymous) replies…
I'm pretty sure that KABC publishes the results of their inspections, and that those include levels and types of deficiencies, if anybody wants to explore further.
kbritt (Karrey Britt) says…
The inspection reports should be posted and available to the public in each of the nursing homes.
BigDog (anonymous) says…
jafs,
"their inspections" are just information taken the state's inspections. Then they summarize them and charge you for the information (check their website). If you want to pay $10 per nursing home you can receive the report.
ezbreezy (anonymous) says…
I don't know what makes the staff at these nursing homes treat the residence so badly and why would you want to work with the elderly if you hated your job so much. Would you physically hurt your own grandparents that way? I work in healthcare and love my job and these people are somebodys family member treat them with respect! Its so wrong.. soooo wrong...
KansasAdvocates (Kansas Advocates for Better Care) says…
In reference to Big Dog's & jaf's comments about deficiencies and inspections: We do not claim to do the inspections ourselves, but rather report what we learn from the agencies that do the inspections: the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA), and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
KABC always reminds consumers that we talk with to look at more than just an inspection record. We encourage them to make unannounced visits to homes under consideration to get a better feel for the atmosphere, staff interaction with residents, and amenities (if that's important to them). Talk to friends who may have experience with the facility, and if there are family members present while you are visiting, chat with them, too. Nursing homes are required by regulation to have their most recent inspection report available upon request. (it's not always easy to understand, so ask for explanation). You can order this document from KDOA too, and there is a charge per page to get it.
As for how we get this information, KABC uses the website: www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp to gather inspection data. The site is updated about once a month. There is no cost for this information. In addition to inspection summaries for three years, we receive information about remedies (bans on admission, fines, etc) that are recommended by KDOA and CMS if a facility is found to be out of compliance. That, along with other data we receive is compiled into a one-page consumer-friendly report from our database. We have information about all licensed care homes in Kansas (nursing facilities, assisted living, etc).
Our website currently indicates a charge for these reports, but we really only ask for a donation to help cover our costs. We are happy to respond to phone calls and emails requesting specific information about long-term care in Kansas, and want only the best quality care for all Kansans. In Lawrence call 842-3088, or email: info@kabc.org
jafs (anonymous) replies…
Thanks for the info.
IndusRiver (anonymous) says…
Lawrence wants the elderly to live there so they can be ripped off. Instead, luckily, Lawrence continues to be a desperate Socialist disaster.
AgingAdvocate (anonymous) says…
Just a few comments: What were Pioneer Ridge's inspection results for 2011? Why is the criteria different for them? If you're going to print such inflammatory articles, please use the same criteria for all parties in order to make the comparison fair.
Anyone who is interested in the nursing home investigation results for this area may find them on the Medicare website:
http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/
In addition, if anyone is interested in the state regulations that these facilities must follow to stay in compliance, you may find them here:
http://www.aging.ks.gov/PolicyInfo_an...
All long-term care facilities and assisted livings MUST post the results of their most recent survey for anyone and everyone to view. These will generally be posted near the entrance of the facility. If you don't see them, please ask, they must share their results as it is mandated by law. If you are looking at information that you don't quite understand - ask about it and demand answers, keep the facilities accountable for their actions or lack of action - be persistent in obtaining satisfactory answers. This I cannot stress enough, especially if you are considering long-term care for your loved one.
I have the utmost respect for KABC and believe they do excellent work - I'd hate to see what some of these places would be for our seniors if they weren't around to advocate for them. There are some truly awful facilities that are currently in business, but don't be so quick to throw the good ones in the bucket with them - look at each individual facility and judge them on their own merits.
I work with our greatest generation everyday and am proud to say that I and my staff give outstanding care to our residents and that we have the most spoiled residents in Lawrence and that's they way we intend to keep it - that's what they deserve...and more! We truly love and care for our residents and their families - and it's not just words...our actions everyday prove it - ask our residents....they'll tell you!
KansasAdvocates (Kansas Advocates for Better Care) replies…
Dear AgingAdvocate: Thank you for the kind words about KABC, and your work with our aging population. To clarify - we use the same criteria each year for all nursing homes that we report about in articles such as this one. The facilities herein have had three consecutive inspections with 10 or more deficiencies cited. Pioneer Ridge did not meet the criteria. Their record shows 7 deficiencies in Sept 2010; 3 in Aug 2009 (one of which was identified as actual harm); and 4 in Aug 2008. KABC tries very hard to present all nursing home information based on facts we gather - and assume to be accurate - from various state and federal agencies. We only wish to educate consumers about their options, and how facilities compare with one another. As I stated earlier, we will always do our best to answer questions from the public.