Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Kimberly Ondo

Abstract

The U.S. population aged 65 years old and older is steadily increasing. Some of thispopulation resides in nursing homes; thus, the necessity for quality care provided in nursing homes has increased. Consistent, quality care remains a constant challenge for the government, nursing home administrators, health care consumers, and researchers. Nurse staffing has been identified as a critical structural measure that affects the quality of care and outcomes in nursing homes. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between nurse staffing and quality of care outcomes in Mississippi’s nursing homes. Donabedian’s structure, process, and outcome (SPO) model served as the conceptual framework for the study. Nurse staffing levels reflect the structure of nursing homes and quality measures outcomes, such as the occurrence of pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections. Secondary data from 204 Mississippi nursing homes obtained from the Medicare Nursing Home Compare data set were analyzed for this study. The linear analysis did not reveal a statistically significant relationship between quality of care and nurse staffing levels. The relationship between the prevalence of pressure ulcers and urinary tract infections and nurse staffing levels did not reveal a significant correlation. Nevertheless, nursing home administrators may utilize the results of this study to improve quality care measures in Mississippi nursing homes, which would lead to positive social change. These findings may also help inform and guide health care policymakers in Mississippi to develop and implement Medicaid and Medicare staffing support programs and regulations to improve the quality of care for this vulnerable population.

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