Latest news with #healthinspections
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
One Bay restaurants closed, seven get high-priority violations in state inspections
You can use the database to search by county or by restaurant name. Florida's restaurant owners are not required to post restaurant inspection results where guests can see them. So every week, we provide that information for you. For a complete list of local restaurant inspections, including violations not requiring warnings or administrative action, visit our Bay County restaurant inspections site. Here's the breakdown for recent health inspections in Bay County for the week of July 21-27, 2025. Please note that some more recent, follow-up inspections may not be included here. Disclaimer: The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation describes an inspection report as a "snapshot" of conditions present at the time of the inspection. On any given day, an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term conditions at the establishment. For full restaurant inspection details, visit our Bay County restaurant inspection site. Which Bay County restaurants got perfect scores on their health inspections? These restaurants met all standards during their July 21-27 inspections, and no violations were found. Cracker Barrel #749, 520 E 23rd St., Panama City** Firefly, 535 Richard Jackson Blvd. Unit G, Panama City Beach** Sonic Drive-In #5602, 11200 Hutchinson Blvd., Panama City** St. Andrews Slice House, 1127 1/2 Beck Ave., Panama City** ** Restaurants that failed an inspection and aced a follow-up inspection in the same week Which Bay County restaurants were temporarily closed by inspectors? These restaurants failed their July 21-27 inspections and were temporarily closed. Follow-up inspections are required. St. Andrews Slice House 1127 1/2 Beck Ave., Panama City Routine inspection on July 22 Facility temporarily closed: Operations ordered stopped until violations are corrected. Four total violations, with two high-priority violations High Priority - Operating with an expired division of hotels and restaurants license. High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by 31 live roaches found in the following locations: 10 roaches on back wall around electrical conduit, 10 roaches on back side of stand up reach in cooler around motor area, one roach around stand up reach in cooler wheel casing and 10 live roaches underneath reach in cooler around the catch pan area. **Warning** Which Bay County restaurants had high-priority violations? Chili's Grill and Bar 845 E 23rd Street., Panama City Routine Inspection on July 25 Follow-Up Inspection Required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. Six total violations, with one high-priority violation High Priority - Employee rubbed hands together for less than 15 seconds while washing hands. Cracker Barrel #749 520 E 23rd St., Panama City Routine inspection on July 22 Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. Seven total violations, with two high-priority violations High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Shredded lettuce at 47 degrees Fahrenheit, cheese slices at 46 degrees Fahrenheit, cooked rice at 57 degrees Fahrenheit, whipped butter at 71 degrees Fahrenheit. High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Lettuce at 47 degrees Fahrenheit, rice at 57 degrees Fahrenheit, cheese slices at 46 degrees Fahrenheit, whipped butter at 71 degrees Fahrenheit. Manager discarded all items during inspection. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** Fazolis-Panama City 2219 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Panama City Routine inspection on July 21 Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 11 total violations, with one high-priority violation High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety, commercially processed food reheating for hot holding not heated to a minimum temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit in all parts. Lasagna temperature at 130 degrees Fahrenheit at 10:50 a.m. after 30 minutes in hot holding and second reheat. Rechecked at 11:55 a.m. temperature at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. **Corrective Action Taken** Peppers Mexican Grill and Cantina 2061 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Panama City Complaint inspection on July 24 Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. Nine total violations, with four high-priority violations High Priority - Dish machine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Tested at 0 ppm chlorine. Operator fixed pump tube and primed machine, tested at 100ppm. **Corrected On-Site** High Priority - Hand wash sink by grill station dripping on floor. three compartment sink pipes dripping on floor. Dish pit sprayer sink leaking on to floor. Manager placed pans under sinks during inspection. **Warning** High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line drawers: raw chicken at 51 degrees Fahrenheit, raw chorizo at 63 degrees Fahrenheit, and pork carnitas at 52 degrees Fahrenheit at 3:40 p.m., per manager items in unit since approximately 11:30 a.m. Raw shrimp in unit since noon per manager, 44-49 degrees Fahrenheit at 4:05 p.m. See stop sale. High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook line drawers: raw chicken at 51 degrees Fahrenheit, raw chorizo at 63 degrees Fahrenheit, and pork carnitas at 52 degrees Fahrenheit at 3:40 p.m., per manager items in unit since approximately 11:30 a.m. See stop sale. Also in drawer, per manager since noon: raw shrimp at 52 degrees Fahrenheit, raw beef at 62 degrees Fahrenheit, cheese sticks at 52 degrees Fahrenheit, imitation crabmeat at 54 degrees Fahrenheit, cooked potatoes at 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Manager moved items to freezer for rapid chilling. New temperatures at 4:05 p.m.: raw beef at 41 degrees Fahrenheit, cheese sticks at 40 degrees Fahrenheit, cooked potatoes at 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Raw shrimp down to 44-49 degrees Fahrenheit at 4:05 p.m., see stop sale **Warning** Peppers Mexican Grill and Cantina 2061 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Panama City Complaint inspection on July 25 Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. One total violation, with one high-priority violation High Priority − From initial inspection : High Priority - Hand wash sink by grill station dripping on floor. three compartment sink pipes dripping on floor. Dish pit sprayer sink leaking on to floor. Manager placed pans under sinks during inspection. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection on July 25: Operator working to get plumbing repaired. **Time Extended** Rafael Pizzeria 12700 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach Routine inspection on July 25 Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 13 total violations, with two high-priority violations High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Expired June 1 High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Mozzarella cheese on pizza make table counter at 48 degrees Fahrenheit, per manager less than one hour. Moved to reach in cooler during inspection. **Corrective Action Taken** Sonic Drive-In #5602 11200 Hutchinson Blvd., Panama City Routine inspection on July 22 Follow-up inspection required: Violations require further review, but are not an immediate threat to the public. 12 total violations, with three high-priority violations High Priority - four live, small flying insects found in kitchen area. **Warning** High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Upright fry cooler: hot dogs at 49 degrees Fahrenheit, sausage patties at 49 degrees Fahrenheit, per employee items in cooler over night, see stop sale. High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Upright fry cooler: hot dogs at 49 degrees Fahrenheit, sausage patties at 49 degrees Fahrenheit, per employee items in cooler over night, see stop sale. What agency inspects restaurants in Florida? Routine regulation and inspection of restaurants is conducted by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Health is responsible for investigation and control of food-borne illness outbreaks associated with all food establishments. How do I report a dirty restaurant in Florida? If you see abuses of state standards, report them and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will send inspectors. Call the Florida DBPR at 850-487-1395 or report a restaurant for health violations online. Get the whole story at our restaurant inspection database. What does all that terminology in Florida restaurant inspections mean? Basic violations are those considered against best practices. A warning is issued after an inspector documents violations that must be corrected by a certain date or within a specified number of days from receipt of the inspection report. An administrative complaint is a form of legal action taken by the division. Insufficient compliance after a warning, a pattern of repeat violations or existence of serious conditions that warrant immediate action may result in the division initiating an administrative complaint against the establishment. Says the division website: "Correcting the violations is important, but penalties may still result from violations corrected after the warning time was over." An emergency order — when a restaurant is closed by the inspector — is based on an immediate threat to the public. Here, the Division of Hotels and Restaurants director has determined that the establishment must stop doing business and any division license is suspended to protect health, safety or welfare of the public. A 24-hour call-back inspection will be performed after an emergency closure or suspension of license. This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City area restaurant and food truck inspections July 21-27 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
18 Broome County eateries have flawless health inspections; one marked with critical violations in July
Out of 22 health inspections conducted in Broome County last month, one had critical violations, 18 had no violations, and four had unfixed violations remaining from previous inspections, according to new reports released by the Broome County Health Department. There are over 90,000 food service establishments in New York state, according to Inspections include any establishment public or private that uses an on-site kitchen to serve food, this includes schools, nursing homes and more. Due to the volume of food establishments inspected in the last month, a selection of the highest and lowest rated restaurants are shown below. You can search for current and past New York state health inspection reports on Some Broome County eateries with the most health violations last month Critical violations must be corrected on the spot, while non-critical violations must be addressed by a future date. Tuscarora (Cc) Food Service 205 Summit Lake Road, Windsor Inspection date: July 15, 2025 Violations: 4 total. 0 critical, 4 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Broome Tioga Boces Student Cnr 435 Glenwood Road, Binghamton Inspection date: July 17, 2025 Violations: 4 total. 1 critical, 3 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Lighthouse Landing Campground/Food Service 3782 Us Route 11, Marathon Inspection date: July 14, 2025 Violations: 2 total. 0 critical, 2 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Ofa - Vestal Sr Comm Center 201 Main Street, Vestal Inspection date: July 16, 2025 Violations: 1 total. 0 critical, 1 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Broome County eateries with flawless health inspections last month No health code infractions were found at these establishments during their inspections. Whitney Point Preschool & Day Care Summer Feeding 2496 W. Main Street, Inspection date: July 14, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Whitney Point High School/Sed 10 Keibel Road, Whitney Point Inspection date: July 14, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Whitney Point High School 10 Keibel Road, Whitney Point Inspection date: July 14, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. C E Adams Elem School Summer Feeding/Sed 24 Keibel Road, Whitney Point Inspection date: July 14, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. W An Olmstead Summer Feeding/Sed 54 Main Street, Harpursville Inspection date: July 15, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Windsor Sr High Cafeteria/Sed 1191 Ny Route 79, Windsor Inspection date: July 15, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Lee Barta Community Center 108 Liberty Street, Binghamton Inspection date: July 15, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Binghamton Housing Authority/Saratoga Terrace 60 Saratoga Avenue, Binghamton Inspection date: July 15, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Alice Freeman Palmer Middl Sch/Sed 213 Main Street, Windsor Inspection date: July 15, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. Carlisle Apartments 150 Moeller Street, Binghamton Inspection date: July 15, 2025 Violations: 0 total. 0 critical, 0 non-critical, 0 not fixed from previous inspection Comments from inspection: Click here for specific violations from the inspection. What are critical and non-critical violations? Red 'critical' violations involve 'food source and condition, food cooking and storage temperatures, sanitary practices of food workers, water and sewage, pest contamination of food and the use of toxic materials,' according to a spokesperson from the New York State Department of Health. Critical violations must be corrected at the time of inspection because they include factors that could lead to foodborne illness. In New York state, restaurant inspections are not conducted on a pass or fail basis. Non-critical, or blue, violations are not related to factors that could directly cause foodborne illness, but they could have a negative effect on the operation of the restaurant. These types of violations relate to the maintenance, design, and cleanliness of the establishment. Non-critical violations are not as urgent as critical ones and must be fixed according to the timeframe given by the health inspector. How often are health inspections conducted in Broome County? The frequency of food establishment inspections in New York state depends on the risk category of the establishment and the establishment's history of health code compliance. High-risk food establishments are inspected twice per year, medium-risk ones once per year, and low-risk ones every other year. Examples of high-risk food establishments include table-service restaurants, diners and school kitchens which prepare foods – these are establishments that have complex food processes like preparing food in advance or reheating and cooling food. Medium-risk food establishments don't require such complex processes because they serve low maintenance food like pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches. Bars and coffee shops are typical low-risk food service establishments due to the minimal preparation required for their food service. The inspectors from health departments in each county are trained by the New York State Department of Health to standardize food establishment health inspections across the state. Information for each county's health department can be found at How do I report food establishments that might be violating health standards in Broome County? The health department in each respective county is responsible for enforcing public health regulations. If you suspect that a food establishment is dirty or might be violating health standards, report them to the Broome County Health Department and an inspector will investigate the complaint. To file a report, submit a complaint on The USA TODAY Network is publishing localized versions of this story on its news sites across the country, generated with data scraped from local health department websites. Please leave any feedback or corrections for this story here. Our News Automation and AI team would like to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us. This story was written by Ozge Terzioglu. This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: 18 Broome County eateries have flawless health inspections; one marked with critical violations in July Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Infestations close 7 Fresno food businesses. ‘An entire colony of cockroaches'
Infestations close 7 Fresno food businesses. 'An entire colony of cockroaches' Reality Check is a Fresno Bee series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email tips@ Cockroaches were a major issue for Fresno County restaurants and food service businesses in June. Seven businesses were closed, some for a week or more, after health inspectors found infestations, according to public data reported by the Fresno County's Health Department. Those closures included: Valentino's, an Italian restaurant in downtown Fresno's Galleria building, where an inspector found a live cockroach inside a paper towel dispenser while trying to wash his hands. According to a June 16 inspection report, 'an entire colony of cockroaches at various stages of life emerged from the paper towel dispenser,' the report shelves were covered with the body parts of dead cockroach and their waste and live roaches were 'observed throughout facility.' The restaurant was ordered closed and had to undergo a full cleaning of cabinets, counters, equipment, utensils and shelving, along with a professional pest control treatment. It reopened June 25. Chalio's, a Mexican restaurant on Front Street in Selma, where a June 2 inspection found both live and dead cockroaches throughout the building, including several in the prep kitchen area. The restaurant was ordered to clean any contaminated areas and repair holes in a wall at behind a mop sink and another near a hand wash sink, where roaches were seen. It was allowed to reopen June 6, according to the health department records. The service bar at the Double Tree at the Fresno Convention Center, following its inspection on June 30. It remained closed into July, according to health department data. Pho Lau Vieng #2, a Lao and Vietnamese comfort food restaurant on Olive Avenue. It was also closed after failing a June 30 inspection due to 'cockroach and rodent infestation.' Birreria Mi Ranchito, at Butler and Orange Avenues. The Mexican restaurant was inspected on June 30 and remained closed into July. Coco's Produce, on Orange Avenue south of Butler. The facility was inspected July 17 and closed for at least two weeks. Cuquita Mexican Food truck, which was closed for a week following a June 3 inspection. Other inspection violations for June 2025 In all, a total of 11 restaurant/food businesses were temporarily closed following inspections in June. The others were: School House Restaurant & Tavern in Sanger, which was closed for two days following an alert from California State Water Resources Control Board. According to a report from the board, the restaurant's water supply system had been contaminated with E. Coli. The restaurant had to discard any food or drinks that could have been made with the contaminated water and 'disinfect food contact surfaces and food-handling utensils.' The Fosters Freeze in Reedley, which was closed to two weeks after inspectors found several sinks were not properly draining. El Taco Loco/Kerman Market on South Madera Avenue in Kerman. The market facility was partially closed following a June 2 inspection due to 'vermin activity,' according to health department data. El Taco Loco was closed due to lack of hot water. Typically, a lack of hot water is one of the more common (and easily fixed) violations. Last month, four restaurant were closed following routine inspections. That included a Fresno market that had what the health department described as a backroom chicken coop. On the year, 36 restaurants and food businesses have been temporarily closed (and allowed to reopen) by the health department. What inspectors look for The Fresno County Department of Public Health has about two dozen environmental health specialists who monitor almost 5,000 restaurants, snack bars, grocery stores, commissaries, delicatessens and food vendors across the county and make unannounced visits several times a year. Restaurants also are inspected following fires, or in response to complaints or other concerns from the public, including when people report what they believe are health or sanitation issues at restaurants. When inspectors visit a restaurant or other food service business, there is a lengthy and detailed list of more than 50 things that draw their scrutiny. They include: Whether the manager and all employees have the required food safety or food-handling certificates. Hygiene of individual employees. Ways to keep cold food at or below 41 degrees and hot food above 135 degrees. Use of proper sterilization for counters, tables, utensils and cookware. Overall cleanliness. Proper drainage of sinks and floor drains. Restrooms stocked with supplies. Whether the business has the proper license or permit. Inspectors chronicle their findings in reports, which are made available to the public. In most instances, if an inspector finds a problem, it's something that can be fixed on the spot. This can include having enough bleach or sanitizer in the water used to wipe down food-preparation areas, replenishing soap, paper towels and toilet paper in the restrooms, or reminding employees to wash their hands and wear gloves and hairnets. As shown this month, insect or vermin infestations are violations that can result in immediate closure of restaurants or food businesses when they are observed by health inspectors. Among other serious concerns are refrigerators that don't keep food cold enough or steam tables that don't keep food hot enough to inhibit bacterial growth, or clogged sinks or drains that cause contaminated water to back up into kitchens. 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Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ants in liquor, mold in ice machine: Kansas City area restaurant inspections
From broken utensils to 2-month-old brisket, health inspectors in Missouri and Kansas found numerous violations at Kansas City area restaurants and a grocery store last week. Dining establishments like sit-down restaurants, drive-thrus, gas stations and grocery stores are required to get food inspections, and governments have to release those inspections to the public. In Kansas City, the city's health department enforces the food code while in Kansas, the state's Department of Agriculture handles inspections. The lower the number of violations, the better. Most restaurants correct violations at the time of the original inspection or shortly thereafter. The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations. They are available for Kansas City at and Here are the restaurants in Kansas City and Johnson County received seven or more critical violations or priority/priority foundation violations from June 29 to July 5. During that time, no restaurants in Wyandotte County reached the threshold. 12611 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park 14 priority and priority foundation violations for a July 1 routine inspection At the Overland Park Korean barbecue restaurant, three of the coolers were too warm. This meant that 21 items, including raw meat and seafood, had to be thrown away. An open bottle of wound spray was stored directly above clean pans. More than 10 wooden and metal utensils were falling apart and held together 'with duct tape, wire and broken wood.' Mold grew inside the ice machine. The scheduled follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for Chosun Korean BBQ by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup. 15970 S. Mur-Len Road, Olathe 10 priority and priority foundation violations for a July 2 routine inspection The deli cooler was not cold enough, so the store had to throw away more than 30 items, including rotisserie chicken, coleslaw and burnt ends. There was brisket that was close to 2 months old kept in the establishment. Two open containers of ricotta leaked onto the store shelves at the Olathe grocery store. The scheduled follow up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for Ball's Price Chopper in Olathe by searching for the store on the Kansas inspection lookup. 6601 W. 135th St., Suite A, Overland Park 8 priority and priority foundation violations for a July 1 routine inspection Ants and winged bugs floated in two bottles of liquor at the Overland Park bar and grill located near Metcalf and 135th Street. Mold grew on lemons in the cooler. A follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for The Brew Top by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup. 928 E. Old 56 Highway, Olathe 8 priority and priority foundation violations for a July 1 complaint inspection There was no handwashing sink in the kitchen prep area at this crepe and ice cream shop in Olathe. Employees said they don't use sanitizer when washing dishes. The scheduled follow-up inspection has not yet occurred. Read the full report for La Fresca by searching for the restaurant on the Kansas inspection lookup. 427 Main St. 7 critical violations for a July 1 routine inspection A cardboard box was used as a trash can at the River Market pizzeria. There was buildup in the ice machine. The restaurant corrected all the violations, according to a July 7 follow-up inspection. Read Minsky's full report. 921 McGee St. License suspended July 3 The license for the still-unopened downtown cocktail bar was suspended due to inactivity. The owner told The Star on Thursday, July 10, that the establishment was waiting on its liquor license.
Medical News Today
03-07-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Understanding Medicare's nursing home star ratings
Medicare's nursing home ratings are one tool people can use to evaluate potential long-term care facilities. While they offer insight into staff levels and performance on health and quality inspections, they do not capture all aspects of a nursing home's homes are residential care facilities for individuals requiring 24-hour access to medical and personal care services. A person may require a stay in a nursing home due to their age, a health condition, a disability, or another reason that has made living alone difficult or does not cover long-term stays in a nursing home. However, it may cover short-term stays when necessary for rehabilitation. Medicare Part A does offer coverage for the first 100 days in a skilled nursing aid beneficiaries in their decision making, Medicare assigns star ratings to nursing home facilities. These ratings — and the data on which they are based — add transparency to the decision making process and help hold facilities accountable for providing substandard what the ratings mean, how Medicare determines them, and what limitations they nursing home ratingsMedicare's nursing home star ratings are a sum of a facility's performance in three areas:health inspectionsstaffingquality measuresEvery facility is given a rating of 1 to 5 in each of these areas as well as an overall rating. A rating of 5 stars is considered 'much above average,' whereas a rating of 1 star is considered 'much below average.'The ratings are based on different types of information:Health inspections: This score reflects how a nursing home performs in inspections of health and safety conditions, complaints, and infection control. The most recent health inspection reports are available for review, along with any complaint This rating reflects how staffing levels (and experience) compare with the size of the resident population. It also looks at staff measures: This rating reflects the care that residents receive in both short-stay and long-stay settings. »Read more:Does Medicare pay for nursing home care?Where to find the ratingsThe best place to review Medicare's nursing home ratings is through the Care Compare search tool on can find lists of local nursing homes by entering their ZIP code. Each facility on the list is accompanied by an overall star tool allows users to compare up to three facilities side-by-side and view a wide array of information, such as:star ratingsownership informationnumber of bedshealth inspection reportsnumber of health citationscomplaint inspection reportsstaffing summariesPlus, facilities are flagged in the results lists if they have been cited for abuse (denoted by a red hand sign) or have a history of serious quality issues (denoted with a yellow warning sign).Limitations of the star ratingsWhile Medicare's nursing home ratings offer a wealth of useful information and context about different facilities, a person should not base their care decisions on star ratings important steps in the research process include making on-site visits and speaking with staff and residents at potential nursing star ratings may not align with the experiences of residents, as they do not consider factors such as:special programmingfacility and room amenitiesfacility culturestaff attitudesTakeawayMedicare nursing home ratings give prospective residents insight into a facility's quality and help them narrow their bases its ratings on health inspections, staffing details, and the medical outcomes of residents.A person should use the ratings alongside in-person visits and conversations with individuals who have experience with each facility when evaluating factors that are not captured by star ratings, such as location and convenience, may play a role in someone's decision making.
