Federal regulators gave nearly a quarter of the nation’s nursing homes the lowest possible rating.  A new ranking system was unveiled Thursday.  The new five start system is determined by factors including staffing and the results of state inspections and aims to simplify the complicated process of evaluating nursing homes by consumers.  Officials hope that the new system with challenge providers to improve patient service.

States with the highest percentage of nursing homes with a one-star ranking were: Louisiana, 39.6 percent; Georgia, 32.4 percent; Virginia, 32.4 percent; and Tennessee, 30.9 percent.

States with the highest percentage of homes with five stars were: Delaware, 30.2 percent; Alaska, 26.7 percent; New Hampshire, 24.4 percent; and Hawaii, 23.9 percent.

To find the rankings in your state, check out the Medicare website.