DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/7BRE-SZ66
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3097-918X
Defense Date
2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Health Related Sciences
First Advisor
Tracey Gendron
Second Advisor
Leland Waters
Abstract
The Special Focus Facility Program is an intensive program meant to rapidly support 88 of the lowest quality nursing homes in the United States, as determined by the Five-Star Quality Ranking system. There are also 435 facility candidates which are similarly low performing but not enrolled in the program. Academic literature has largely ignored this program, and the existing grey literature is more than a decade old and does not include COVID-19 data. Applying a political economy of aging framework and using a case matching methodology, Special Focus Facilities (SFF), Special Focus Facility Candidate (SFFc) nursing homes, and 5-star nursing homes were compared on various organizational, structural, and COVID-19 outcomes. The results showed that SFF and SFFc are significantly more likely to be larger and for-profit than 5-star facilities. SFFc have improved staffing as compared to SFF and SFF and SFFc have nearly identical deficiency scope and severity. The intent of this research is to increase understanding of the efficacy of the Special Focus Facility program. More research is needed to understand if the SFF program ultimately increases quality of care. This research supports quality improvement in nursing homes.
Rights
© Annie Rhodes
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-9-2022
Included in
Health Services Administration Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Quality Improvement Commons