(July 20, 2023) – Each year, nursing homes are inspected to determine how well they comply with laws and regulations that impact the quality of care provided. The surveys are always unannounced and typically last several days.
In April, Abernethy Laurels was visited by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Based on their review and inspection, Abernethy was deemed to have zero deficiencies in care and compliance based on regulatory requirements as set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for skilled nursing facilities.
According to www.medicare.gov/care-compare/, the average number of deficiencies for North Carolina Nursing Facilities is 7.6. Nationally, the average number is 8.9 deficiencies. In light of these state and national averages, Abernethy Laurels has demonstrated the organization’s commitment to excellence and high-quality care.
Nursing home inspections are part of NCDHHS and CMS’s ongoing efforts to share information with family members who are making health care decisions for loved ones. Inspections determine how well a nursing home follows laws and regulations in terms of the quality of care provided for residents who require chronic care or rehabilitation but not hospital services. Nursing care and continuing medical supervision are their main needs.
Nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs are included in databases for public access, including an easy-to-understand listing at https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/. Basic details for participating facilities are available, along with ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. For example, Abernethy Laurels’ 5-star rating is featured as a resource for consumer comparison against that of other facilities.
Visitors can also view data on fire safety inspections, emergency preparedness, and statistics about the total number of nurse staff hours per resident per day. Information from the organization’s past three inspections are available for users to view.
Amber McIntosh, executive director at Abernethy Laurels, shares, “All employees at Abernethy Laurels are ultimately involved in patient and resident care, and we were thrilled to receive an inspection with zero deficiencies. We work incredibly hard to ensure that we consistently promote quality of care, cultivate safe environments, and offer each resident the attention they deserve. Especially following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were gratified to see that the measures and operations we put in place are successful, reliable, and in the best interests of our residents.”