Nearly everyone has some life experiences or opinions based on media about nursing homes and the need for quality improvement. States and federal agencies spend enormous amounts of time regulating and surveying nursing homes, but quality problems persist. In the past decade, federal initiatives have emphasized quality improvement, and researchers have tested a variety of ways to engage nursing home staff to embrace methods of quality improvement and best clinical practices. However, finding ways that are clinically effective, but not cost-prohibitive, to assist nursing homes most at risk for quality concerns eludes most states. This is a program report of the findings of 2 consecutive annual evaluations of the Quality Improvement Program of Missouri (QIPMO). This program is sponsored by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) in an effort to help facilities in the state develop quality-improvement programs and improve the quality of care to Missouri nursing home residents.

Rantz, M.J., Cheshire, D., Flesner, M., Petroski, G.F., Hicks, L., Alexander, G., Aud, M.A., Siem, C., Nguyen, K., Boland, C., & Thomas, S. (2009). Helping nursing homes “at risk” for quality problems: a statewide evaluationGeriatric Nursing, 30(4), 238-249.