By Sara QuamEllsworth’s nursing home was recognized as being the best in the state, and others in the Star Herald coverage area were also respectably ranked.The Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card is the first of its kind in the nation, and this is the first year Minnesota has used it.It was published by the Minnesota Department of Health.The report card uses a star method to rank data such as hours of direct care, staff turnover, proportion of single rooms and state inspection results. Parkview Manor in Ellsworth earned 37 of 40 stars.Parkview Manor Administrator Mike Werner calls the report card, "a good tool for rating," but said it’s not a tell-all."It is a snapshot in time and we want to toot our horn a little, but we realize we’re not that much better than all the other nursing homes in the area," Werner said.Tuff Memorial Home, Hills, received 33 out of 40 stars.Arnold Memorial Health Care Center, Adrian, received 30 out of 40 stars.The Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center, Luverne, received 28 out of 40 stars."What I think sets us apart is we’re a municipal home. We are owned by the city and we have a board of community members to answer to," Werner said.Werner has been with Parkview Manor as administrator for 19 years.The report card was the brainchild of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who introduced the idea during his 2004 State of the State address.The state hired a professional firm to interview residents on their quality of life, including comfort, privacy, dignity and security."People who live in the homes can tell us a great deal about how they feel about their comfort and quality of care," Human Services Commissioner Kevin Goodno said in a press release. "These survey results give consumers an insider’s perspective on life in the facilities. This kind of information provides a rich foundation for the objective data in the report card."Residents were even asked about things such as meaningful activities, food enjoyment and spiritual well-being.Residents of Parkview Manor, Mary Jane Brown and Tuff all rated those facilities with five stars, the highest possible. Arnold Memorial received four.All of the nursing homes mentioned received five stars for their state inspection results, which cover care-related citations.A full list of nursing home report cards in Minnesota is available at www.health.state.mn.us/nhreportcard.The Minnesota Department of Health is responsible for licensing and inspecting nursing homes and certifies them for participation in the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. The department also investigates complaints against nursing homes.The Department of Human Services is responsible for developing and interpreting policy concerning nursing home services, quality of care and rates. DHS also administers the Medical Assistance program, which in 2005 paid $425 million in state funds for nursing home services.
