Four of the five Arkansas nursing homes that have reported the highest numbers of covid-19 cases among their residents have above-average overall ratings from the federal government, according to Medicare records.
Only one -- The Waters of White Hall -- received "below average" grades for its overall score.
The five facilities, all of which are for-profit operations, are in central and northeast Arkansas. All accept Medicare and Medicaid, according to information on the federal medicare.gov website.
In addition to overall ratings for nursing homes, Medicare rates three categories: health inspections, staffing and quality measures.
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The health inspections category is based on the past three years of state inspections. Staffing is measured by numbers of staff members, where higher numbers generally mean higher ratings. Quality measures are based on 16 care issues such as percent of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized, who received needed flu shots or pneumonia vaccines, and who experience one or more falls with major injury.
Ratings in each category are: 5 stars indicating much above average; 4 stars indicating above average; 3 stars for average; 2 stars for below average; 1 star for much below average.
Here are ratings and other information about the five nursing homes with the most covid-19 infected patients as of Friday:
• Walnut Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center -- 48 covid-19-infected residents; 119 beds; ownership: JEJ Investments LLC (40%), Ross Ponthie (40%), Marybret LLC (20%). Overall rating: 4 stars; health inspections rating: 4 stars; staffing rating: 4 stars; quality measures rating: 4 stars.
• Briarwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (Little Rock) -- 43 infected residents; 120 beds; ownership: Michael Morton. Overall rating: 4 stars; health inspections: 3 stars; staffing: 3 stars; quality measures, 5 stars.
• The Waters of White Hall -- 35 infected residents; 120 beds; ownership: Michael Blisko (46%), Gubin Enterprises Limited Partnership (46%), A&F Realty LLC (7%). Overall rating: 2 stars; health inspections: 2 stars; staffing: 3 stars; quality measures: 3 stars.
• The Lakes at Maumelle Health and Rehabilitation -- 31 infected residents; 70 beds; ownership: Ovations Health Systems Inc. Overall rating: 5 stars; health inspections: 5 stars; staffing: 2 stars; quality measures: 5 stars.
• Willowbend Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Marion) -- 27 infected residents; 118 beds; ownership: Not available. Overall: 4 stars; health inspections: 4 stars; staffing: 2 stars; quality measures: 2 stars.
SundayMonday on 05/03/2020