18 percent of Kentucky nursing homes had 10 or more deficiencies in July-Sept.; 42 exceeded state average of six

State inspectors found 20 of Kentucky's nursing homes, 18 percent of the total, had 10 or more deficiencies during the third quarter of 2010. Kentucky nursing homes have an average of six deficiencies, according to Medicare's nursing-home comparison data. The report shows 42 of the 109 homes in the state had more than six deficiencies from July through September.

Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform, a non-profit organization that advocates for nursing home residents, obtained the data through an open-records request to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Inspections assess a facility on the care of residents and how that care is administered; on how staff and residents interact; and on its environment. Certified nursing homes must meet more than 180 regulatory standards.

To see a list of the nursing homes with 10 or more deficiencies, the four nursing homes that had no deficiencies during the third quarter and to read more, go to our news releases page.