Special care units and their influence on nursing home occupancy characteristics.
BACKGROUND
There has been a steady increase in the number of special care units (SCUs) in nursing homes. In 2006, 4,370 (i.e., 29%) nursing homes reported having an SCU. One belief is that SCUs in nursing homes developed to provide better resident care. However, few studies have examined the impact of opening an SCU on the nursing home, rather than the impact on residents.


OBJECTIVE
In this research, we use national data over a period of 15 years (1991-2006) to examine whether opening either an Alzheimer's SCU or subacute SCU subsequently influences the overall nursing home occupancy, Medicare occupancy, or private-pay occupancy.


METHODS
The 1991 through 2006 On-line Survey Certification of Automated Records was the primary data source used in this investigation. Using multivariate regression, overall occupancy, Medicare occupancy, and private-pay occupancy variables were examined 1, 2, and 3 years prior to opening of an SCU and 1, 2, and 3 years postopening of an SCU.


RESULTS
Opening either an Alzheimer's SCU or subacute SCU had a positive impact on both the overall occupancy and private-pay occupancy of a facility. In addition, opening a subacute SCU had a positive impact on Medicare occupancy. These positive changes occur within a year of opening the SCU and increase each year thereafter.


CONCLUSIONS
The improvements in occupancy and payer-mix identified could mean the difference between operating in the black as opposed to making a loss. Thus, the findings have substantial practice implications for nursing homes.
Castle
Nicholas G
NG
University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. castlen@pitt.edu
D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D001509:Bed Occupancy / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007353:Insurance, Long-Term Care; D006278:Medicare; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D013038:Specialization; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019467:Subacute Care; D014481:United States