The Influence of Nurse Staffing Levels on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Influence of Nurse Staffing Levels on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes
Language: English
Authors: Hyer, Kathryn, Thomas, Kali S., Branch, Laurence G., Harman, Jeffrey S., Johnson, Christopher E., Weech-Maldonado, Robert
Source: Gerontologist. Oct 2011 51(5):610-616.
Availability: Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 7
Publication Date: 2011
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Nurses, Nursing Homes, Institutional Characteristics
Geographic Terms: Florida
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnr050
ISSN: 0016-9013
Abstract: Objective: This study examines the relationship between increasing certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed nurse staffing ratios and deficiencies in Florida nursing homes over a 4-year period. Methods: Data from Florida staffing reports and the Online Survey Certification and Reporting database examine the relationship among staffing levels and deficiency citations for 663 Florida nursing homes between 2002 and 2005. Using a generalized estimating equation approach in SAS Proc Genmod, we estimate the relationship between CNA and licensed nursing staff, and facilities' total deficiency score and quality of care deficiency scores--calculated using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Rating System, which accounts for the complexity of the scope and severity of the citations. Results: Our results confirmed that higher CNA staffing levels were predictors of lower total deficiency scores and quality of care deficiency scores after controlling for facility characteristics. Conclusion: With a large sample size, repeated measure design, and advanced methods, we have found a relationship between CNA staffing and nursing home quality.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2011
Accession Number: EJ940964
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Objective: This study examines the relationship between increasing certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed nurse staffing ratios and deficiencies in Florida nursing homes over a 4-year period. Methods: Data from Florida staffing reports and the Online Survey Certification and Reporting database examine the relationship among staffing levels and deficiency citations for 663 Florida nursing homes between 2002 and 2005. Using a generalized estimating equation approach in SAS Proc Genmod, we estimate the relationship between CNA and licensed nursing staff, and facilities' total deficiency score and quality of care deficiency scores--calculated using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Rating System, which accounts for the complexity of the scope and severity of the citations. Results: Our results confirmed that higher CNA staffing levels were predictors of lower total deficiency scores and quality of care deficiency scores after controlling for facility characteristics. Conclusion: With a large sample size, repeated measure design, and advanced methods, we have found a relationship between CNA staffing and nursing home quality.
ISSN:0016-9013
DOI:10.1093/geront/gnr050