// BEGIN editorial data var i = 0; var nursinghome = new Array(); nursinghome.sName = "nursinghome"; nursinghome.ID = "nursinghome"; nursinghome.ID_WB = 3403425; nursinghome.sPubDate = "1/20/2004 12:52:03 AM GMT"; nursinghome.mainsectionID = "HEALTH" nursinghome.navsectionID = "HEALTH" nursinghome.appFmt = 2; nursinghome.itemsPerPage = 1; nursinghome.appWidth = 460; nursinghome.appHeader = "FACT FILE|Nursing home report card"; nursinghome.appFooter = "Sources: AP, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid guidelines"; nursinghome.appNavStyle = 3; nursinghome.appLayout = 3; nursinghome.copyHeight = 264; nursinghome.copyWidth = 310; nursinghome.copyMargin = 9; nursinghome[i++] = new Array("","Loss of ability in daily task performance","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); nursinghome[i-1].body = "Residents are checked to see how they function doing some basic daily activities, such as feeding themselves or going to the bathroom alone. Some loss of function may occur in the elderly, especially if they're in poor health. This measure, however, counts unexpected sudden or rapid loss of the ability to do one or more of these activities.
     Some residents will lose function in their basic daily activities even though the nursing home provides good care. But in some cases, it could mean more staff time is needed to allow residents to do these tasks for themselves. For the consumer searching for a nursing home, lower percentages are better.
"; nursinghome[i++] = new Array("","Residents with bed sores","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); nursinghome[i-1].body = "A pressure sore is a skin wound sometimes called a bed sore that can be painful, take a long time to heal and cause infections. The sores can be caused from pressure from chairs, wheelchairs or beds. There are things a home can do to prevent or treat pressure sores, such as frequently changing a resident’s position.
     This measure will be listed in two different ways. One number will be the percentage based on raw data. The other number will be calculated with an additional level of risk adjustment. Risk adjusting means that government analysts excluded some residents when calculating the percentage to allow for a more “apples to apples” comparison of homes. Experts say this is done for a variety of reasons, including the fact that some homes may specialize in caring for pressure sores, which could mean their number is higher. In either case, it’s important for a consumer to do careful investigation and ask lots of questions about this when choosing a nursing home.
"; nursinghome[i++] = new Array("","Residents with pain","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); nursinghome[i-1].body = "The percentage of residents in a home who had very bad pain at any time, or moderate pain every day, in the seven days before they were assessed. Generally, a lower number is better. But that isn’t always true. For instance, if a nursing home does a better job of checking residents for pain, it could have a higher number. Some homes could have residents who refuse to accept pain medication because they want to stay more alert.
     In any case, the measure is a guideline for the consumer to talk with nursing home staff about how they check and manage pain.
"; nursinghome[i++] = new Array("","Residents in physical restraints","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); nursinghome[i-1].body = "The number of residents who are physically restrained daily. A physical restraint is any device, material or equipment that keeps a resident from moving freely. Some examples include special types of vests, chairs with lap trays, ankle restraints or wrist restraints. The calculation does not include bed rails.
     Restraints should only be used when necessary as part of the treatment of a resident’s medical condition. Only a doctor can order a restraint. A resident who is restrained daily can become weak, lose his or her ability to go to the bathroom by themselves and develop pressure sores or other complications."; nursinghome[i++] = new Array("","Residents with infections","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); nursinghome[i-1].body = "The number of residents with certain types of infections like pneumonia, wound infections or urinary tract or bladder infections. The number is important to the consumer because certain types of infections can be prevented with shots and other care by nursing home staff.
     Data collection differs from state to state. For instance, some states collect data only on urinary infections. It’s going to be important to ask questions about how your nursing home operates.
"; nursinghome[i++] = new Array("","Residents with delirium","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); nursinghome[i-1].body = "The percentage of short-stay residents with symptoms of delirium. Delirium is a mix of short-term problems that include being confused and not being aware of one’s surroundings or environment. Delirium is not the same as dementia or senility, which are more about learning and memory problems. Delirium can be reversible and is a sign that a resident needs immediate medical attention, such as a change in medications or diet.
     Like the calculations for pressure sores, this number is offered in two different ways. One is the percentage calculated with raw data. The other is a number that has been risk adjusted, which means some residents have been excluded in the calculations.
"; nursinghome[i++] = new Array("","Short-stay residents with pain","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); nursinghome[i-1].body = "The percentage of residents staying in a home for a short period of time who had very bad pain at any time, or moderate pain every day, in the seven days before they were assessed.
     Like the other calculations on pain, this number should be used as a gauge to talk to nursing home staff about how they monitor and treat pain.
"; nursinghome[i++] = new Array("","Short-stay residents who walk as well or better","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); nursinghome[i-1].body = "The percentage of residents expected to be at a home for a short period of time who walked better on day 14 than on day five of their stay or who walked independently on day five and maintained that level on day 14.
     Residents who stay in a nursing home for a short time are generally expected to maintain or improve their ability to walk. This is one measure where a higher percentage is better."; // END editorial data