Designing a report card for nursing facilities: what information is needed and why.
OBJECTIVE
This article presents a rationale and conceptual framework for making comprehensive consumer information about nursing facilities available. Such information can meet the needs of various stakeholder groups, including consumers, family/friends, health professionals, providers, advocates, ombudsman, payers, and policy makers.


METHODS
The rationale and framework are based on a research literature review of key quality indicators for nursing facilities.


RESULTS
The findings show six key areas for information: (a) facility characteristics and ownership; (b) resident characteristics; (c) staffing indicators; (d) clinical quality indicators; (e) deficiencies, complaints, and enforcement actions; and (f) financial indicators. This information can assist in selecting, monitoring, and contracting with nursing facilities.


CONCLUSIONS
Model information systems can be designed using existing public information, but the information needs to be enhanced with improved data.
Harrington
Charlene
C
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA. Chas@itsa.ucsf.edu
O'Meara
Janis
J
Kitchener
Martin
M
Simon
Lisa Payne
LP
Schnelle
John F
JF
D033181:Information Dissemination; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D010067:Ownership; D014481:United States