Recorded presentation

Christopher Koepke, PhD¹, Andrew Martin Maxfield, PhD², Rosemary Lee, RN, Lauren Blatt⁴, and David Miranda, PhD⁵. (1) Center for Beneficiary Choices, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Blvd., Mailstop S1-15-03, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, 410-786-5877, CKoepke@cms.hhs.gov, (2) Consultant, 1666 Kalorama Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20009, (3) BearingPoint, 1676 International Drive, McLean, VA 22102, (4) Center for Beneficiary Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21244

Objective: This study assesses the response of nursing homes to the Nursing Home Quality Initiative (NHQI). The NHQI is an effort by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve the quality of nursing care by promoting awareness and use of quality measures to nursing homes, referral sources, and consumers. Methods: Randomly selected nursing homes (N=250) were surveyed following an intervention in six states. Multivariate analyses were used to identify NHQI components and nursing home characteristics associated with quality improvement and other outcomes. Results: Nearly all nursing homes were aware of the NHQI. Over a third had participated in NHQI-sponsored training, although independent nursing homes were more likely to participate in the training than chain nursing homes. The training was positively associated with the intensity of quality improvement (QI) activity reported by nursing homes, including QI-related changes to intake and unit level clinical processes. Over a third of nursing home also reported increased discussions with referral sources regarding quality during the NHQI implementation period. Increased discussions about quality were also positively associated with the intensity of quality improvement. Conclusion: The Initiative was successful at creating awareness and the training appears to have contributed to quality improvement activity, but there is a need to engage the centralized administrations of chain nursing homes.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will understand the impact of publicly reported quality measures on nursing home quality improvement.
• Attendees will be able to identify effective channels for increasing awareness of quality of care issues among nursing homes.

Keywords: Communication, Evaluation

Related Web page: www.medicare.gov

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation