The nursing center at Covenant Shores, a faith-based, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, received five stars, the highest possible overall rating, in U.S. News & World Report’s sixth annual Best Nursing Homes list released Feb. 26.

Out of almost 16,000 nursing centers covered nationwide, the ratings highlight the top providers in each city and state. The goal is to help users find a skilled nursing center with a strong track record of good care.

Only 27 of the 97 nursing centers in the Seattle metropolitan area earned an overall five star rating from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The evaluation draws on data in three categories — health inspections, level of nurse staffing, and quality of care — and gives each an overall rating. Nationwide, approximately 25 percent of the nursing centers considered in 2014 achieved a five-star rating. Avery Comarow, U.S. News health rankings editor said, “The rising number of five-star homes is encouraging. It speaks to care that is steadily becoming more skilled and compassionate.”

The report is available online at http://www.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes. Or go to www.CovenantShores.org.