[Nursing homes versus assisted living facilities: Outcome quality regarding pressure ulcers, falls and malnutrition].
BACKGROUND
Assisted living has become more popular among individuals who are care-dependent or are threatened with care dependency as an attractive alternative to a standard nursing home. As differences regarding nursing care quality in both settings are so far unknown, the aim of the study was to compare the quality indicators occurrence of pressure ulcers, falls and malnutrition in both settings.


METHODS
In spring 2010 a multicentre cross-sectional study on the prevalence of care problems was conducted including 3610 individuals in 31 nursing homes (NH) and 21 assisted living facilities (ALF) following a standardized study protocol. Comparative analyses of raw and adjusted prevalence of the care problems occurrence of pressure ulcers, falls and malnutrition were conducted.


RESULTS
Individuals in the ALFs were on average older than those in the NHs (89.5 years vs. 83.2 years) but were more mobile and less care-dependent. The prevalence of care problems in the NHs compared to those in the ALFs showed the following results: pressure ulcers (NH = 3.9%, ALF = 2.3%), nosocomial pressure ulcer prevalence (NH = 2.3%, ALF = 0.2%), incidence of falls within 3 months (NH = 12.5%, ALF = 20.4%) and malnutrition according to a body mass index (BMI) ≤ 18.5 kg/m(2) (NH = 5.6%, ALF = 11.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Due to the population differences, no final conclusions about the quality of care according to the analysed indicators can be made. While the prevalence of pressure ulcers was remarkably lower, falls and malnutrition had a higher prevalence in ALFs. Ongoing and systematic outcome quality surveys in different long-term care facilities are recommended.
DPUW Deutsche Pflege und Wohnen AG/DPUW Deutsche Pflege und Wohnstift GmbH, Berlin, Deutschland.
J
J
Klingelhöfer-Noe
T
T
Dassen
N A
NA
Lahmann
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D016896:Treatment Outcome