The results of the inspection are provided to the facility. If violations are found, the facility has 10 days to provide a written plan of correction. The Agency conducts follow-up visits to monitor the facility's progress and to ensure all deficiencies are corrected. Severe or uncorrected deficiencies may result in fines, restriction of patient admissions or facility closure. Florida is the only state with a nursing home rating system.
Ratings are an assessment of quality and performance at the time of the state's annual inspection.
A facility operating under a new license may not receive a superior rating during the first six months of operation. Financial incentives for a superior rating were discontinued by the Florida Legislature in 1996, and as a result, some nursing homes have not applied. A standard rating means that the care and services meet minimum requirements. A conditional rating indicates that the facility failed to meet minimum standards. The Florida Nursing Home Guide Updates are published by the state Agency for Health Care Administration to assist consumers in evaluating the quality of nursing home care in Florida.