West Michigan 
Health Scorecard

July 2004
Volume I, No. 1

Health Status

þ       7.4 infants for every 1,000 live births in West Michigan in 2002 died before reaching one year of age; better than the Michigan rate of 8.1, but worse than the US rate of 6.9.

þ       Mortality among African American infants in parts of West Michigan was nearly 3 times the national average.  18.9 deaths/1,000 live births were reported in Kent County and 9.1/1000 in Muskegon County for the three-year moving average (2000-2002).

For more infant mortality data by county, click here

Data Source (above 2 points) – Michigan Department of Community Health – www.michigan.gov/mdch 

 Access to Health Care

þ       Pregnant Medicaid patients will have a difficult time finding a physician in West Michigan. Less than 25% of OB/GYN practices accept Medicaid patients. 

For more OB/GYN survey information, click here.

Data Source – Telephone Survey Conducted June 2004 – 37 practices responding  

þ       West Michigan nursing homes report a 90.4% average occupancy rate. The Michigan average for the same time period was 87.23%.

Data Source –Quarterly Staffing Report, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Operations, reporting period 4/11/04 through 4/17/04

 Quality of Health Care

þ       94.6% of families, with family members being cared for in West Michigan nursing homes, would recommend the home to others.

þ       90% of patients and families report they are satisfied with the care they receive in West Michigan nursing homes.

þ       34% of nursing homes in West Michigan meet or exceed 3.7 staffing hours per day, the Michigan average.

þ       In Michigan, the average number of citations for deficiencies received at annual state inspections is 9.  The national average is 7.  West Michigan nursing homes averaged 7 citations in 2003, 8.75 in 2002 and 8.88 in 2001.  

For data on individual nursing homes, click here

Data Source (above 4 points) – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - www.medicare.gov  

Cost of Health Care

þ     The average daily Medicaid rate in 2002 was $129.95 for West Michigan nursing homes. There were a total of 1,379,324 days of Medicaid care in 2002.  Private pay rates per day in West Michigan range from 5-28% above the Medicaid rate. 

Data Source – Michigan Department of Community Health, compiled by Health Care Association of Michigan – www.hcam.org  & Certificate of Need reviews by the Alliance for Health for area nursing home projects - 2003/2004.

 Feature Article – 

“How to Find a Nursing Home that is Just Right for You”

When people need more care than they can get at home or in the community, a nursing home may be the best choice.  We are fortunate in West Michigan to have many very capable providers of quality care. While survey data may be helpful, it is important to ask the Administrator and the Director of Nursing about the citations or deficiencies listed in survey reports. Scope and severity issues are also important. Some citations are considered very minor issues, such as the failure to change an air filter or chipped paint, while others may be very significant, such as a pattern of medication errors or abuse and neglect of residents. 

Nursing homes offer round-the-clock care if someone is too sick to live on their own, or if they need to recover after having an illness or operation. Some people stay for a short time in a nursing home and then go home. Other people may be sicker and need more care for a longer period.

 Nursing homes are licensed by the state to provide nursing care, personal care (help with things like bathing, dressing, going to the bathroom, and more), and medical services. They also offer different kinds of therapies (physical, occupational, and speech) to help you get back on your feet after you’ve been ill or had surgery. They provide your meals, and do your laundry and housekeeping. Finally, nursing homes offer different kinds of activities you can get involved with – such as art classes, parties, religious services, and more.

There are a variety of sources that you can use to obtain recommendations on aging services facilities for the elderly. First, talk to friends, relatives, and colleagues in the area about their experiences with different providers. Your Area Agency on Aging is a good source of general information, and your local ombudsman, who, as an advocate for nursing home residents, can answer questions about local skilled nursing facilities. Your physician or religious leader might be helpful resources as well. If you are willing to pay their fee, you can hire a private care coordinator who will consult with you and try and lead you through the process of choosing aging services.

Consider the following checklist to help you decide whether the care meets your needs:

Is the nursing home for profit or not for profit?

What difference might this make in the provision of care?

Ask to see the nursing home’s last annual state inspection report.

Did the report find any problems?

Ask how the problems were fixed.

Does the nursing home have an active resident and/or family council?

Use your five senses. Is the home clean and odor free? Is it pleasant?

Does the staff treat residents with respect?

Is there information posted on how to contact the ombudsman?

Do residents have the same staff on a daily basis?

Is there enough staff available to assist the residents?

Does the staff respond quickly to residents’ calls for help?

Were you invited to sample a meal in the resident dining room? Does the food look and taste good? 

Helpful Links to Internet Sources of Nursing Home Information

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging - http://www2.aahsa.org/   A link to the website "Choosing a Quality Nursing Home"

American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living - www.longtermcareliving.com/planning_ahead/index.htm  - This website provides a range of consumer information to assist individuals with decisions regarding Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities.

Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan - helping older adults and persons with disabilities live in their community with independence and dignity - http://www.aaawm.org/

Citizens for Better Care - a non-profit advocacy agency for residents of nursing homes, adult foster care homes, assisted living programs and homes for the aged located in Michigan - http://cbcmi.org/

Health Care Association of Michigan - http://www.hcam.org/

Medicare Website – http://www.medicare.gov

Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging - http://www.mahsahome.org/

Michigan Consumer Guide to Nursing Homes – Jointly released by Health Care Association of Michigan, Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council and Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging - http://www.hcam.org/search.cfm

Michigan Public Health Institute Center for Long Term Care – http://www.mphi.org/ltc.aspx

MPRO – Nursing Home Quality Initiative Project - http://mpro.org/projects/nursinghome/index.shtml

Nursing Home Compare – http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp

Nursing Home Search - http://www.cis.state.mi.us//bhs_car/sr_car.asp