Indicators of quality medical care for the terminally ill in nursing homes.
OBJECTIVE
To identify medical care indicators for nursing home terminal care.


METHODS
Studies examining care of terminally ill patients were identified using computer, bibliography, and expert searches; input from nursing home medical directors in Maryland; and input from expert geriatricians.


METHODS
More than 900 articles, books, and abstracts from meetings covering medical care for terminally ill patients were reviewed. Information from more than 100 publications is included.


METHODS
Indicators of medical care for terminally ill patients, which can be used to quantify performance with respect to standards, guidelines, and options, were identified initially through review of the literature.


RESULTS
Indicators were refined by input from medical directors of Maryland long-term care facilities and subsequent review by expert geriatricians.


CONCLUSIONS
Minimum standards for which 100% performance is expected are communication of advance directives, attention to pain control, and attention to relief of dyspnea. Performance indicators for medical care guidelines and options in terminal care of nursing home patients are also described.
Keay
T J
TJ
Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Fredman
L
L
Taler
G A
GA
Datta
S
S
Levenson
S A
SA
D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards*; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010819:Physician's Role; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards*; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014481:United States