West Virginia nursing homes: are they up to the standard?

Quality measurement and performance monitoring are under continuous assessment in Nursing Homes (NH). Through this research project we assess the quality of care provided in the NH in the state of West Virginia by publicly accessible quality measurements. The methodology for this research study was through the retrieval of data from the Nursing Home Compare website in which a total of 80 NH were located and analyzed. The results demonstrate that more than 50% of NH in West Virginia are at or above the national average when compared using the Five Star Rating System by CMS, in overall rating (59%), health inspections (57%), nursing home staffing (63%) and quality measures (55%). Contrary to the prevailing reputation, the nursing homes of West Virginia are at or above the nation's average in overall rating, health inspections, nursing home staffing and quality measures.