Mystic Nursing Home Scores Top Rating from DPH, CMS and U.S. News & World Report

Avalon Health Care Center at StoneRidge has just been named one of the Connecticut’s Best Nursing Homes by U.S. News & World Report, has been found deficiency-free by the Connecticut Department of Public Health in the most recent survey, and has achieved a five-star rating from The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

“We’re gratified that our hard work and patient-centered care have resulted in these outstanding reviews by health, government and national sources,” said Administrator Yvette Dobruck. “Our staff is committed to providing the highest quality care with the most attentive and compassionate delivery; our record now reflects our collective dedication to that mission. “

The Connecticut Department of Public Health has recently released their annual nursing home inspection surveys and Avalon Health Care Center was found to be deficiency-free, based on an examination of medical, safety and health measures. It is one of only 5 percent of nursing homes nationally to achieve that status.

Using data analyzed from the federal government, U.S. News & World Report just released its ratings of U.S. nursing homes, based on the results of health inspections, nurse staffing, and measures of medical quality of care. The magazine evaluated more than 15,000 nursing homes nationwide to come up with the slightly more than 2,000 included in the November list of Best Nursing Homes that included Avalon Health Center. (See http://health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes.) Avalon Health Center was one of the few skilled nursing homes in Connecticut to receive the recognition from the publication and the only one from Mystic.

Millions of Americans will spend at least some time in a nursing home this year, noted Brian Kelly, editor and chief content officer of U.S. News. “Finding a nursing home that meets an individual’s specific needs can be challenging for families,” added Kelly in a release. “Our nursing home ratings are designed to help potential residents and their loved ones navigate this difficult process.”

U.S. News & World Report’s first criteria shows how well Avalon met health and safety standards for food preparation and other activities in the latest three state inspections and incorporates the results of consumer complaint investigations. Staffing was evaluated on the average number of hours per day of care received per resident from registered nurses, LPNs, CNAs and licensed vocational nurses. Medical Care Quality Measures determine the percentage of residents who got recommended care such as flu vaccines and percentages who had care-related problems such as pain, bedsores and urinary tract infections. The final measure used to determine Avalon’s rating was that it met National Fire Protection Association standards in its latest inspections. To see the full methodology, visit: http://static.usnews.com/documents/health/nursing-homes/BNH_2016-17_Methodology.pdf

Those recent accolades came on the heels of the federal government’s annual CMS Nursing Home Compare ranking which was released in October. That survey gave Avalon Health Center its highest rating – five stars. Nursing Home Compare was developed by CMS to allow consumers to compare information about nursing homes. It contains quality of care and staffing information for all 15,000 plus Medicare- and Medicaid-participating nursing homes in the United States.

The CMS five-star rated Avalon Health Center at StoneRidge provides compassionate, personal, 24-hour-a-day skilled nursing care for both short- and long-term residents, as well as memory care at the Cottage at Avalon, a rehabilitative therapy center. Located on the StoneRidge campus, just off Jerry Browne Road in Mystic, Avalon is centrally located between Backus, L&M, and Westerly Hospitals, providing easy access for visiting physicians.