Nursing homes measure and report performance on quality measures that are calculated from resident assessment data routinely collected at specified intervals during their nursing home stay. The information pertains to the residents' physical and clinical conditions and abilities. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) makes performance data available to the public to help consumers make more informed decisions. Public reporting also provides additional incentive for agencies to improve the care they provide.
Consumers and caregivers can research specific quality measures reported on nursing homes in their area at
www.medicare.gov (Compare Nursing Homes) and
by calling 1-800-Medicare.