Exploring the Pros and Cons of Westwood Post Acute: A Nursing Home with a 3-Star Rating

Selecting a nursing home for a relative is a process that requires great attention to several factors such as quality of care, number of caregivers, and general outlook of the home. Westwood Post Acute is a skilled nursing facility in San Jose, California and has a rating of 3 stars. However, a 3-star rating is not exactly in the middle; it is a perfect combination of the pros and cons of the services or products offered. Read on to learn more about Westwood Post Acute so that you can make an informed decision about the fate of your loved one.

Pros of Westwood Post Acute

1. Strong Quality of Care

This report seeks to analyze Westwood Post Acute and identify its key success factors, of which quality of care is a major strength. The facility has received a quality measure (QM) score of 5.0 which shows that the care provided to residents is of high quality and has done well in the long term and short term rehabilitation. This high rating means that people receive mostly timely and adequate treatment for both chronic diseases and rehabilitation requirements.

It also succeeds in minimising incidences of avoidable complications like pressure ulcers, residents’ incontinent appropriate care, and other health issues. These quality measures are important to help residents achieve a good quality of life in case they are admitted for short term rehabilitation or for the long term.

2. Experienced Medical Staff

Westwood Post Acute has qualified nurses such as Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). Such experienced staff also assists in making certain that the residents get the right medical care as they may require. It also has a physical therapy department to aid residents get back on their feet after surgeries or any form of disability.

3. Location and Facility Features  

Westwood Post Acute is situated in the central business district of San Jose, which is a plus for the families in terms of access to the nearby hospitals, doctors, and other healthcare facilities. The facility has automatic sprinkler systems for safety, which is an important aspect in the safety of residents in case of an emergency. Furthermore, Westwood Post Acute has a Resident and Family Council as a result of which there is free communication between the staff, residents, and their families.

Cons of Westwood Post Acute

1. Health Deficiencies and Compliance Issues

Still, Westwood Post Acute has been exposed to some health deficiencies in its functioning throughout the years. In the last inspection, the facility was given 39 health deficiencies such as the area of food and fluid, accident, and activity needs of residents. These shortcomings show that, although the facility offers satisfactory care in most cases, it fails to meet the legal requirements in some aspects.

However, it is equally important to understand that Westwood Post Acute has since addressed these concerns. However, the existence of these deficiencies indicate that there may be inadequacies in the achievement of the best practices in some aspects in the facility.

2. Human Resource Management: Staffing Challenges and High Turnover Rate

There are issues with staffing levels in Westwood Post Acute, it has a staffing score of 2 out of maximum 5 that is below average. This is slightly below the recommended average of 4.35, and the facility records 3.90 nursing hours per resident per day. The staff members are well trained and experienced but, the fact that the facility has a limited number of hours in terms of staffing may not be in a position to attend to the needs of all the residents at any one time.

Also, there is a high nurse turnover rate of 48.9% in the facility. Short staffing could also result in poor residents care, poor coordination of care and increased residents injury rates.

3. Below-Average Staffing Rating

With the staffing rating of 2.0, it may mean that Westwood Post Acute lacks adequate staff to attend to all residents’ needs adequately. Although the facility employs medical staff, the limited number of working hours and the high turnover rate may pose a problem in meeting the required staffing standard and offering consistent and timely services. Any family planning to place their loved ones in this facility should be prepared to find out that there is a shortage of staff, and therefore, ask about the staffing pattern and shift to be sure that the patient will receive adequate attention.

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Conclusion

Westwood Post Acute has its advantages and disadvantages that create a balance. On the positive side, the quality of care in this facility is good and the rehabilitation services offered are good, and the management of patients’ health issues is commendable. However, health problems, shortage of staff and high turnover ratio show the areas that need constant focus and development.

When deciding on Westwood Post Acute for your loved one, you need to take all these issues into consideration. Seeing the conditions of the facility, talking to the staff, and learning how they manage the problems and shortages in staffing will be helpful in determining if this nursing home is suitable for your loved one. However, the issues in staffing and health compliance may be crucial when families aim at getting the best services from Westwood Post Acute.