Rankings standards determined by health inspections, nurse staffing and quality measures

ALISO VIEJO, CA (February 24,  2011) – CareMeridian, a leading provider of post-acute health care alternatives, is pleased to announce that its Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada facilities have been ranked among the nation’s Best Nursing Homes 2011 by U.S. News and World Report.

“We are honored to have our facilities included in this year’s ranking by U.S. News and World Report,” said Dan Larson, CareMeridian Chief Development Officer.  “This is a valuable resource for consumers seeking quality nursing and rehabilitation facilities for their loved ones.”

The rankings rely on data from Nursing Home Compare, a consumer web site run by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  Ranked nursing homes are distinguished by up to 5 stars in three categories: health inspections, nurse staffing and quality measures.  Health inspections are conducted by CMS state survey teams every 12-15 months and rated based on criteria such as safety of food preparation, adequacy of infection control, medication management and patients’ quality of life.  The nurse staffing criteria includes nurse-patient ratios and average nursing time per patient per day.  Quality measures are  based upon clinical data and outcomes.

CareMeridian Phoenix was one of 28 nursing homes recognized in Arizona.  The 31-bed facility is located at 5301 E. Thomas Road. CareMeridian Las Vegas was one of 6 facilities recognized in Nevada.  The 35-bed facility, located at 7690 Carmen Boulevard, features a designated pediatric wing which is the only subacute pediatric facility in Nevada.  “Because of our unique licensure in California, those sites were not part of this ranking even though they operate similar programs and receive high marks for quality from the Joint Commission and the California Department of Health,“ said Jim Ashby, CareMeridian Chief Executive Officer.

For more information or a complete list of facilities recognized nationwide, see the full article in U.S. News and World Report.

CareMeridian, a partner of The MENTOR Network, provides a continuum of high quality, cost-effective post-acute care and rehabilitation options to people of all ages with brain, spinal cord and other life-altering injuries and medically-complex illnesses.  With program locations throughout the Western United States, CareMeridian offers a distinctive service delivery model, merging an experienced and skilled health care and rehabilitation team with state-of-the-art technology in community-based program settings designed to meet the unique needs of those we serve at every stage of their recovery.

The MENTOR Network is a national network of local providers serving at-risk youth, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and people with brain, spinal cord and other catastrophic illnesses and injuries in nearly 40 states. To learn more, please visit thementornetwork.com.

Contact:
Dan Larson
Chief Development Officer
314.440.4257
dlarson@caremeridian.com