Eight different quality measures that have been found to strongly capture meaningful aspects of nursing facility performance were chosen for the initiative. The information provided on the web site is compiled from the nursing homes MDS (Minimum Data Set) which is transmitted to the state and federal governments monthly. The initiative involves measuring and reporting to the public on some of these "Quality Measures" (QMs).

Mandated by CMS, the MDS was supposed to reflect the true profile of each resident in nursing homes. It is, however, not a perfect tool. The information required to be entered is subject to the interpretation by professionals.

Obtaining reliable, accurate information is an essential part of the evaluation of the published data. You can increase the usefulness of the information by contacting and visiting the specific nursing home to discuss individual ratings to determine if the ratings are consistent with the outcome of their services.

It may also be useful to recognize that Hawaii has the fewest number of nursing home beds (per capita) in the United States and our facilities may therefore have some of the highest acuity rates (severity of conditions). This higher acuity requires more resources to provide for care. Twice as many of our residents are bedfast and over 50% of nursing home residents in Hawaii suffer from some form of dementia. Moreover, Hawaii has one of the fastest growing populations in the age 85 years and over category.