Quality report cards and nursing home quality.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the potential role that publicly disseminated quality report cards can play in improving quality of care in nursing homes.


METHODS
We review the literature and the experience gained over the last two decades with report cards for hospitals, physicians, and health plans, and consider the issues that are of particular importance in the context of nursing home care.


RESULTS
Experience with report cards in other areas of the health care system suggests that nursing home quality reports may have a role to play in informing consumers' choices and providing incentives for quality improvement. Their impact may, however, not be large. Methodological issues that may limit the accuracy of quality indicators and issues related to the design and comprehension of the information by consumers are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Quality report cards should be viewed as one of several options to ensure higher quality nursing home care.
Mukamel
Dana B
DB
Department of Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. dana_mukamel@urmc.rochester.edu
Spector
William D
WD
D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States