THCA assists policymakers, consumers and the public at large in understanding the significant financial challenges facing nursing home providers as we serve an older, higher acuity patient population while simultaneously facing an ongoing barrage of state and federal funding cuts.

Despite the challenges, quality improvement programs over the past decade have boosted quality of care and quality of life for Texas nursing home patients in key quality measures such as reduction of pain and pressure ulcers. At the same time, there is and always will be room for improvement. Providers, consumers and policymakers must work together to chart a course for ongoing quality improvement in the future.

Recent research findings highlight advances in quality care among Texas skilled nursing facilities:

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Between 2002 and 2010, Texas nursing homes had better rates than the rest of the nation in 8 out of 15 Quality Measures (QMs): Pain (short stay), Pressure Ulcers, Incontinence, Catheter use, Restraints, Weight Loss, Depression and Influenza Immunization. (PointRight analysis)
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Between 2011 and 2012, Texas nursing homes had better rates than the rest of the nation in 6 out of 15 QMs: Pain (short stay), Pressure Ulcers, Pain (long stay), Catheter use, Restraints and Weight Loss. (PointRight analysis)
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Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Texas skilled nursing facility residents rated their facility as "excellent" or "good," while 88% rated their willingness to recommend their facility to others as either excellent or good. (My Innerview Annual Report, 2011)
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Eighty-three percent (83%) of Texas skilled nursing facility family survey respondents gave an overall rating of excellent or good, with the same percentage also indicating a strong willingness to recommend to others the facility where their loved one was receiving care and services. (My Innerview Annual Report, 2011)

With 80 to 85 percent of Texas nursing home residents dependent upon either Medicare or Medicaid funding for their care, THCA and its members will continue to aggressively make the case that cumulative Medicaid and Medicare funding adequacy and care quality are inseparable.