Development and testing of nursing home quality indicators

Abstract

In this article, the authors report on the development and testing of a set of indicators of quality of care in nursing homes, using resident-level assessment data. These quality indicators (QIs) have been developed to provide a foundation for both external and internal quality-assurance (QA) and quality-improvement activities. The authors describe the development of the QIs, discuss their nature and characteristics, address the development of a QI-based quality-monitoring system (QMS), report on a pilot test of the QIs and the system, comment on methodological and current QI validation efforts, and conclude by raising further research and development issues.

Figure 1. Prevalence of Pressure Ulcers, by Level of Risk

Figure 2. Prevalence of Falls Quality Indicator: Differences in Mean and 90th Percentile in 3 Demonstration States