More long-term care facilities are earning higher national quality ratings, but increased focus on infection control is still needed, according to the American Health Care Association's 2013 Quality Report.
The annual report is based on in-house research and government data. According to an article on the McKnight's website, between 2011 and 2012, the report showed improvement “in almost all the quality measures generally used,” This builds on trends identified in the 2012 report.
The report showed:
• The percent of long-stay residents receiving an off-label antipsychotic medication decreased from about 24% to 23%.
• The percent with moderate to severe pain decreased from more than 12% to 10%.
• The percent with a pressure ulcer decreased from 7% to 6.4%.
• Between 2008-2013, direct care nursing hours per resident day increased for all levels of nursing staff, according to the report.
The report said infection control emerged as a problem area. In 2008, surveyors cited 20% of skilled nursing facilities for infection control issues. In 2013, 40% have been cited.
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