Satisfaction with Massachusetts nursing home care was generally high during 2005-09, with some variability across facilities

Abstract

Since 2005 Massachusetts has publicly reported results from biennial surveys of satisfaction with nursing homes, completed by responsible parties for residents, to promote consumer-centered care. Our analysis of the results from 2005, 2007, and 2009 revealed generally high satisfaction with care, which remained stable over time. On a scale of 1 to 5 (from very dissatisfied to very satisfied), average satisfaction with overall care was 4.22-4.31, and satisfaction that overall residents' needs were met was 4.09-4.16. Around 90 percent of respondents would recommend the facility. Satisfaction ratings varied considerably across facilities, with higher scores associated with higher nursing staffing levels, fewer deficiency citations, and nonprofit or government ownership. Scores for six domains of care were, in general, closely associated with satisfaction scores. However, family members seemed less satisfied with the physical and social activities available to residents and with the food and meals served than with such attributes as the physical environment. Our findings suggest that including the consumer's perspective would improve the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' current nursing home reporting efforts. However, refinements may be necessary to detect the impact of consumer reporting on the quality of patient-centered care.

Keywords: Long-Term Care; Quality Of Care.

Exhibit 2

Satisfaction Scores For Individual Domains Of Nursing Home Care In Massachusetts, 2005-09 SOURCE: Authors’ analysis of Massachusetts nursing home satisfaction surveys of 2005, 2007, and 2009 (see Note in text). NOTES: Answers to questions about each domain were coded on a five-point scale, with 1 meaning very dissatisfied and 5 very satisfied. Error bars reflect maximum and minimum scores of all nursing homes. Average satisfaction scores for individual domains of nursing home care in Massachusetts, 2005-2009 (note: questions for each domain are coded on a five-point scale with one for very dissatisfied and five for very satisfied; error bars reflect maximum and minimum scores of all nursing homes.)