Purpose: Studies of certified nursing assistant (CNA) turnover in nursing homes are typically cross-sectional and include full-time and part-time workers. We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate the job factors and work attitudes associated with just full-time staying or leaving. For those who did not stay, we assessed reasons for leaving…

Purpose: In November of 2002 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services publicly reported on a national basis the quality of nursing homes on the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) Web site. This study examines administrators' opinions of this initiative and whether it has fostered quality improvement. Design and Methods: Data used in this…

Purpose: It is widely believed that physical restraint use causes mental and physical health decline in nursing home residents. Yet few studies exist showing an association between restraint initiation and health decline. In this research, we examined whether physical restraint initiation is associated with subsequent lower physical or mental…

Examined changes in resident acuity and registered nurse staffing in all nursing homes in Pennsylvania before and after introduction of Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS) in 1983. Found that acuity of nursing home residents increased significantly since introduction of PPS, full-time registered nurse staffing remained unchanged, and…

Purpose: Agitation frequently accompanies cognitive decline among nursing home residents. This study used cross-sectional and longitudinal (up to 18 months) methods to examine agitation among profoundly and moderately impaired residents using both staff report and direct observation methods. Design and Methods: The study included participants (N =…

The major findings and recommendations of a study to develop a comprehensive plan for library services for the blind and physically handicapped of Pennsylvania are presented. The study was undertaken at the request of the Pennsylvania State Library, and was financed by funds provided through Title IVB of the Library Services and Construction Act.…

Purpose: The association between certified nurse aide, licensed practical nurse, and registered nurse turnover and the organizational characteristics of nursing homes are examined. Design and Methods: Hypotheses for eight organizational characteristics are examined (staffing levels, top management turnover, resident case mix, facility quality,…

The Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, directed its efforts towards providing continuing education courses to enable long term care administrators to qualify for relicensure in accordance with Pennsylvania's requirements. Because of the diversity of administrators' educational background, more data were needed to establish…

These curriculum materials for preparing nursing assistants in Pennsylvania provide 14 units of secondary and postsecondary instruction. Presented within the topic of the role and function of the nursing assistant are units providing an introduction to health care, communications, infection control, emergency and disaster procedures, and ethical…

In early 2000, the Center on Human Policy started to receive reports that children with complex medical needs were being placed in nursing homes because of home care nursing shortages. Sensing that framing the issue as a nursing shortage directed solutions that revolved around nursing agency staff recruitment and retention strategies, the authors…

The purpose of a curriculum project was to identify selected areas in which modules needed to be c developed for Pennsylvania's vocational programs for the occupation of home-health assistant, and to develop a minimum of three modules for field testing. By reviewing current literature and information, the area of need for curriculum materials for…

The status of postsecondary allied health and health-related programs in Pennsylvania was studied. Among the data presented are the following: types of awards offered in 1976-77 by program at four-year institutions; the average number of graduates for 1969-73 and the number projected for 1974-78 by program, and 1973 enrollments by sex; programs…