Illinois nursing home neglect has risen over the years, and due the widespread abuse both locally and nationwide, federal officials have recently introduced a star ranking system to evaluate nursing homes.  Ratings are based on state inspections, quality measures and staffing levels.  Stars are received in each of the main criterias, with additional ranks based on overall quality.  Under this system a nursing home can receive between one and five stars.

• One Star: Extremely Below Average
• Two Stars: Below Average
• Three Stars: About Average
• Four Stars: Above Average
• Five Stars: Extremely Above Average

Inspections carried out over three years are used by The Centers for Medicare and Services to rate the nursing homes.  The staffing rating is determined by the number of hours of nurses or other staff members dedicated to each patient on a daily basis.  The quality rating includes ten areas such as the amount of bed sores after the first three months and any residents who have had worsened mobility since arrival.

Federal officials are striving towards challenging nursing homes to improve their care.  The nursing home industry has criticized the star system as being too simplistic for a complicated care environment.  Illinois nursing home negligence lawyers express that consumers should take note of the star ratings, but not to base the choice of a nursing home only on those ratings when comparing facilities.

If you have any questions regarding negligence or abuse in nursing homes, or if you feel a loved one might be in danger, contact a Chicago nursing home abuse attorney immediately.

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