Country: United States
Survey Organization: Harris Interactive, Inc.
Field Dates: February 16, 2007–June 8, 2007
Sample: A nationally representative sample of nursing homes. The sampling frame was drawn from the CMS Provider of Services data file, representing a comprehensive database of certified nursing facilities. From the list of nursing homes, a stratified sample of 4,000 homes was pulled, based on bed size. The sample excluded facilities located within a hospital and those that are Medicare only, as these facilities handle mostly short-stay patients, rather than long-term care residents who are the focus of this survey. The survey was mailed to Directors of Nursing; a total of 1,435 surveys were completed, yielding a response rate of 37 percent.
Sample Size: 1,435 directors of nursing
Interview Method: Pencil and paper mail survey
Although The Nursing Home Reform Act, passed in 1987, established residents' rights and quality standards for nursing homes nationwide, serious concerns remain about quality of care and quality of life for nursing home residents. The "culture change" movement is working to radically transform nursing home care, and help facilities transition from institutions to home. The report presents results from the Commonwealth Fund 2007 National Survey of Nursing Homes, fielded to examine the penetration of the culture change movement at the national level and measure the extent to which nursing homes are adopting culture change principles and practicing resident-centered care. Results are mixed, with much room for improvement. The survey highlights important lessons, including the finding that the more a nursing home has adopted culture change principles, the greater the benefits that accrue to it, in terms of staff retention, higher occupancy rates, better competitive position, and improved operational costs.
