Mental dysfunction and resource use in nursing homes

TitleMental dysfunction and resource use in nursing homes
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1993
AuthorsFries B.E, Mehr D.R, Schneider D., Foley W.J, Burke R.
JournalMedical Care
Volume31
Issue10
Pagination898-920
Date PublishedOct
Accession Number8412392
Keywords*Diagnosis-Related Groups/cl [Classification], *Mental Disorders/cl [Classification], *Mental Disorders/nu [Nursing], *Nursing Homes/ut [Utilization], *Nursing Staff/ut [Utilization], Aged, Analysis of Variance, Comparative Study, Costs and Cost Analysis, Delirium/cl [Classification], Delirium/ec [Economics], Delirium/nu [Nursing], Dementia/cl [Classification], Dementia/ec [Economics], Dementia/nu [Nursing], Depression/cl [Classification], Depression/ec [Economics], Depression/nu [Nursing], Diagnosis-Related Groups/ec [Economics], Diagnosis-Related Groups/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data], Health Resources/cl [Classification], Health Resources/ec [Economics], Health Resources/ut [Utilization], Homes for the Aged/ec [Economics], Homes for the Aged/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data], Homes for the Aged/ut [Utilization], Human, Long-Term Care/cl [Classification], Long-Term Care/ec [Economics], Long-Term Care/ut [Utilization], Medicaid/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data], Medicare/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data], Mental Disorders/ec [Economics], Nursing Homes/ec [Economics], Nursing Homes/sn [Statistics & Numerical Data], Nursing Staff/ec [Economics], Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., United States
Abstract

The role of dementia and other mental disorders in nursing home case-mix classification systems has been an area of controversy. The role of mental dysfunctions was considered in developing a new case-mix measurement system for facility payment in a national demonstration to understand staff time use in nursing homes. Nursing staff (nurses and aides) time and resident assessment data were collected for 6,663 nursing home residents in 6 states. Measures of signs and symptoms of cognitive impairment (dementia), depression, and delirium were created based on items from the new National Minimum Data Set. These measures then were used to determine whether mental dysfunctions were predictive of resource use (nursing staff times and costs) when controlling for other case-mix variables. Cognitive impairment was associated with slightly higher staff time only in less physically-impaired residents without serious medical conditions and not receiving heavy rehabilitation. Similarly, depression and delirium were associated with higher resource use only in selected types of residents. Based on these findings, the new Resource Utilization Groups Version III (RUG-III) contain a major category of residents who are cognitively impaired but not severely dependent in Activities of Daily Living. Depression is used to differentiate subgroups of residents with major medical conditions such as hemiplegia and aphasia. Delirium, when used together with other resident characteristics, was not found useful in explaining resource use. Case-mix groups defined by mental dysfunctions can foster improved care, but careful consideration must be given to appropriate incentives and documentation requirements for providers.

Short TitleMedical careMedical care
Alternate JournalMed Care