How to Assess the Quality of Medical Care at Your Parent’s Senior Care Facility

When selecting a senior care facility for your parents, a significant deciding factor will be the quality of medical care available. We all want to be assured that our senior parents will be well taken care of, with access to the best quality medical care when needed.

Adult Care Advisors offers some useful tips and resources to help you assess the quality of medical care available at your parent’s senior care facility:

• Get the Facts: Ask the senior care facility for detailed information on the medical care programs in place. This is the first step towards helping you make an informed decision.
• The 12 Patient Safety Indicators (PSI): The Department of Health and Senior Services provide 12 Patient Safety Indicators (mandated by law). Start by ensuring your parent’s senior care facility has these in place. *(Source: http://web.doh.state.nj.us/apps2/hpr/docs/2011/report.pdf)
• Recommended care: Make sure your senior care facility follows the recommended care as outlined by The Department of Health and Senior Services, New Jersey. It includes patient safety and high quality care measures to assess the level of medical care for serious illnesses such as heart attack, pneumonia, surgical care and heart failure.
• The Quality Improvement Advisory Committee (QIAC): QIAC members are leaders among the New Jersey hospital industry and health care providers who provide guidance on quality initiatives. They also volunteer their skills and time to develop high quality health care programs in New Jersey. 

For more information and advice on how to assess the quality of medical care available at a senior care facility in New Jersey, contact our team of adult care consultants today.