Health Department Introduces Web Site to Aid in Selecting Nursing Homes

Source: RLS Media

A new Web site aimed at helping residents make informed decisions when choosing a nursing home has been launched by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH).

The site empowers the state to engage in increased monitoring of nursing homes for the maintenance of key quality of care standards and also streamlines access to help inform the public’s decisions when selecting a nursing home.

“Choosing a nursing home for a loved one is a deeply personal decision. Providing information on the quality of care and other important factors will give individuals and families the ability to make a well-informed decision, often in trying times,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli.

The searchable dashboard includes information on each of the state’s 356 nursing homes, such as:

The nursing home’s Five Star Quality Ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Survey and inspection information
Links to certified financial statements and cost reports
General staffing levels and compliance to staffing ratios
Names of owners and licensed nursing home administrators

The site, maintained by the NJDOH Office of Long-Term Care Resiliency, will be updated as new information is available.

In addition to NJDOH data, other sources include CMS and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network Long-term Care Facilities Component.

The dashboard aligns with the Administration’s priorities focusing on long-term care reforms and resiliency. With the partnership of the Legislature, the state has increased oversight, monitoring, and survey activities across the continuum of care within the industry.

NJDOH also has established a Long-Term Care Emergency Operations Center, which works to distribute PPE and other materials as needed, and the Office of Long-Term Care Resiliency, which provides support and resources to facilities to improve the quality of care and services for their residents of long-term care facilities.

In addition to the new Web site for nursing homes, NJDOH maintains sites providing information on the state’s long-term care facilities, and COVID-19 vaccination coverage among residents and staff.

The Web site is at NJ.gov/health/ltc/nursing-homes.

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