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. 2020 Feb;21(2):233-239.
doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2019.07.004. Epub 2019 Aug 23.

Thirty-Year Trends in Nursing Home Composition and Quality Since the Passage of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act

Shekinah A Fashaw  1 , Kali S Thomas  2 , Ellen McCreedy  3 , Vincent Mor  2
Affiliations

Thirty-Year Trends in Nursing Home Composition and Quality Since the Passage of the Omnibus Reconciliation Act

Shekinah A Fashaw et al. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: In 1987, the Omnibus Reconciliation Act (OBRA) called for a dramatic overhaul of the nursing home (NH) quality assurance system. This study examines trends in facility, resident, and quality characteristics since passage of that legislation.

Methods: We conducted univariate analyses of national data on US NHs from 3 sources: (1) the 1985 National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS), (2) the 1992-2015 Online Survey Certification and Reporting (OSCAR) Data, and (3) LTCfocUS data for 2000-2015. We examined changes in NH characteristics, resident composition, and quality.

Setting and participants: US NH facilities and residents between 1985 and 2015.

Results: The proportion of NHs that are Medicare and Medicaid certified, members of chains, and operating not-for-profit has increased over the past 30 years. There have also been reductions in occupancy and increases in the share of residents who are racial or ethnic minorities, admitted for post-acute care, in need of physical assistance with daily activities, primarily supported by Medicare, and diagnosed with a psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia. With regard to NH quality, direct care staffing levels have increased. The proportion of residents physically restrained has decreased dramatically, coupled with changes in inappropriate antipsychotic (chemical restraint) use.

Conclusions and implications: Together with changes in the long-term care market, the NHs of today look very different from NHs 30 years ago. The 30th anniversary of OBRA provides a unique opportunity to reflect, consider what we have learned, and think about the future of this and other sectors of long-term care.

Keywords: Nursing Home Reform Act; OBRA 1987; Quality; nursing home characteristics.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

Much of VM’s research focuses on Nursing Home care and, specifically, policy issues related to the quality of Nursing Home care. VM has three Significant Financial Interests (SFis) that are broadly related to his area of research: HCR Manor Care, Inc., NaviHealth, Inc and PointRight.

  1. HCR Manor Care - Chair, Independent Quality Committee

  2. NaviHealth, Inc. - Chair of Scientic Advisory Board, consultant

  3. PointRight, Inc. - former Director. Holds less than I% equity.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:
Primary Payment Source Using OSCAR/CASPER Data (1992–2015)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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