title: [Development of an evaluation instrument for service quality in nursing homes].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purposes of this study were to identify the factors influencing service quality in nursing homes, and to develop an evaluation instrument for service quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A three-phase process was employed for the study. 1) The important factors to evaluate the service quality in nursing homes were identified through a literature review, panel discussion and focus group interview, 2) the evaluation instrument was developed, and 3) validity and reliability of the study instrument were tested by factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, Cronbach's α and Cohen's Kappa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Factor analysis showed that the factors influencing service quality in nursing homes were healthcare, diet/assistance, therapy, environment and staff. To improve objectivity of the instrument, quantitative as well as qualitative evaluation approaches were adopted. The study instrument was developed with 30 items and showed acceptable construct validity. The criterion-related validity was a Pearson correlation coefficient of .85 in 151 care facilities. The internal consistency was Cronbach's α=.95.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The instrument has acceptable validity and a high degree of reliability. Staff in nursing homes can continuously improve and manage their services using the results of the evaluation instrument.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing Science, East-West Nursing Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. leejia@khu.ac.kr
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Sun
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Ji
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards; D016730:Program Development; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires