Salt Lake Tribune Nursing Home Report

The Salt Lake Tribune published an article this week detailing an investigation on how well Utah nursing homes are caring for their residents.  The investigation found that, overall, Utah nursing homes are providing very good care for Utah's seniors with a few exceptions.  The report also found that ownership tended to be the best indicator of the quality of care provided by the facilities. 

In addition to the article, the Tribune has provided a very user friendly database for individuals who are considering admitting themselves or a family member to a nursing home in Utah.  The information included in this database includes:

• nursing home profiles with contact information

• the number of beds at each facility

• whether the facility accepts Medicare and/or Medicaid

• former names of each facility

• total dollar amount of fines over the last 7 years

• actual, scanned inspection reports from the last 7 years where a resident was harmed

• total number of inspection deficiencies for the facility over the last 7 years

Such centrally located, and easily searchable information can be a wonderful resource to Utah seniors and their family members.  Nevertheless, it cannot be stressed enough that any decision with regard to admission to a nursing facility should be made only after a tour of the facility.  It is critical that you learn as much as you can about a facility before making a decision.  In addition to the data provided by the Tribune, important information can be gathered by talking to residents, family of residents, staff and administrators of facilities.  Armed with such information, you can reduce the likelihood that you or a loved will suffer from poor care-giving during such a vulnerable time of life.