Horizon Care Center is a very large skilled nursing facility located in Arverne, New York, with a capacity of 280 beds. The center is owned by a for-profit, corporate entity and is not part of a continuing care retirement community. Horizon Care Center participates in both Medicare and Medicaid programs, making it accessible for individuals seeking either short-term rehabilitation or long-term care through these public insurance options.
The quality of care at Horizon Care Center is reflected in its ratings for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. The short-term rehabilitation program, meant for patients recovering from hospital stays such as after a stroke, heart attack, infection, or accidental injury, holds a below-average rating. Metrics such as hospital readmissions, falls causing major injury, infection rates requiring hospitalization, and emergency room visits speak to the specific challenges encountered in this domain. Approximately 0.5% of short-term residents experienced falls resulting in major injuries, while 8.9% had infections necessitating hospital care. Furthermore, 10.2% of short-term rehabilitation residents required emergency room visits during their stay. Nurse staffing for all residents averages just over two hours per day, with a noted consistency in staffing levels between weekdays and weekends, particularly in long-term care.
For long-term residents, Horizon Care Center offers an environment where around 60.5% of individuals are able to maintain basic self-care abilities such as mobility, eating, and using the bathroom independently. The annual influenza vaccination rate is high among residents, showing emphasis on preventive health measures. Emergency room visits for long-term care residents stand at 1.1 per 1000 patient days, and the nurse staffing ratio remains consistent at 2 hours and 8 minutes per resident per day. The facility is recognized for excellent consistency in its weekend staffing, contributing to a stable caregiving environment across the week.
Regular state health, fire, and safety inspections are conducted, with the latest reviews noting multiple instances where improvements or corrections were necessary. Issues addressed during inspections included creating timely and comprehensive care plans for new admissions, providing appropriate pain management, and ensuring proper oversight of residents’ personal funds. Additional findings from recent inspections identified improvements needed in medication management, food safety standards, accident hazard prevention, and the implementation of infection control programs. These issues were cited as resulting in a low potential for harm, with either a few or some residents affected. Violations have historically been followed by corrections within several months of inspection dates.
Horizon Care Center’s operational profile is that of a large-scale, for-profit nursing home providing a range of clinical services for a diverse resident population. The facility's integration with federal health insurance programs enables a broad demographical reach, particularly for individuals reliant on Medicare or Medicaid for coverage of rehabilitation or extended nursing home stays. Nurse staffing, preventive care such as vaccinations, and the facility’s response to regulatory oversight all play a part in the overall service delivery at Horizon Care Center.