Culture Change in Nursing Facilities

VHCA (5/22/2008)

While there is a growing awareness of culture change among professionals and providers, the extent to which nursing facilities across the country have adopted a resident-centered culture is still unknown.  In 2007, The Commonwealth Fund conducted a nationally representative survey of nursing facilities to learn more about the inclusion of the culture change movement nationally and the degree to which culture change principles and resident-centered care have been adopted by facilities.  A sample of 1,435 nursing facilities was surveyed between February and June 2007.

The survey found that although many nursing facilities are aware of the "culture change" movement, progress has been slow in transforming long term care facilities.  The report suggests that if facilities take advantage of the examples and best practices learned from the culture change movement, they can begin to make changes to improve the quality of life for residents and staff.

The questionnaire, administered to directors of nursing, focused on three domains of culture change: resident care, staff culture and working environment, and physical environment.  Specifically, the survey examined whether nursing facilities have adopted practices that make care more resident-directed, that engender a work environment that fosters staff autonomy and decentralized decision-making, and that alter the physical environment to make their facilities look and function like a home, rather than a hospital.

The survey demonstrates that the more facilities invest in some aspects of culture change, the greater the benefits in terms of staff retention, higher occupancy rates, better competitive position, and improved operational costs.  To read highlights from the survey click here.