Study Supports Nonprofit Nursing Homes Provide Better Care
A new statistical review study published in August of 2009 revealed that nonprofit nursing homes provide better care than for-profit nursing homes. The authors' reviewed the results of 82 studies from 1965 to 2003 involving tens of thousands of nursing homes. Forty studies found that non-profit nursing homes provided significantly better quality care, while three studies concluded that for-profit homes delivered better care. The remaining studies had mixed results. Results showed that nonprofit facilities delivered higher patient quality in four important quality measures:
- More or higher quality staffing;
- Lower rates of pressure ulcers;
- Less use of physical restraints; and
- Fewer deficiencies cited by regulatory agencies.
Further, authors calculated that if all nursing homes were non-profit, nursing home residents in the United States would receive 500,000 more hours of nursing care per day, while those in Canada would receive 42,000 more hours of nursing care per day.
Senior author Dr. Gordon Guyatt said, "The reason patients' quality of care is inferior in for-profit nursing homes is that administrators must spend 10-15% of revenues satisfying shareholders and paying taxes. For-profit providers cut corners to ensure shareholders achieve their expected return on investment." Dr. Guyatt added, "Our results should raise serious concerns about for-profit care, whether in nursing homes, hospitals, surgi-centers, or other outpatient facilities. It is time to base health care policy on evidence, not ideology."
The law firm of Alley, Clark & Greiwe has successfully represented victims of nursing home negligence throughout the State of Florida. Please contact our office if you or a loved one has suffered serious injury or abuse while residing in a nursing home.
