The Importance of Zero-Deficiency Complaints in Nursing Homes: A Mere Consequence or Serious Concern?
Abstract
Complaints represent an important metric for assessing the quality of nursing home (NH) care. Using the Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) Complaints/Incidents Tracking System dataset (2017), we examined the relationships between zero-deficiency complaints (ZDCs) and zero-deficiency substantiated complaints (ZDSCs) and the proportion of residents with dementia. NHs (N = 15,339) were separated into three groups—proportion of residents with dementia in the top, two middle, and the bottom quartiles. Negative binomial regressions assessed zero-deficiency complaint patterns in relation to NHs’ proportion of residents with dementia, controlling for facility characteristics, staffing, and racial pattern. We reported average marginal effects (AMEs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). NHs in the top quartile yielded higher numbers of both ZDC (AME =.189, 95% CI:.102−.276, p <.001) and ZDSC (AME =.236, 95% CI:.094−.378, p =.001), than NHs in the bottom quartile. Results suggest a need for more uniform investigation processes and staff training to promote a more valid complaint process for residents with dementia.
Publication Title
Journal of Applied Gerontology
Recommended Citation
Bhattacharyya, K., Peterson, L., Molinari, V., Fauth, E., & Andel, R. (2024). The Importance of Zero-Deficiency Complaints in Nursing Homes: A Mere Consequence or Serious Concern?. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 43 (7), 945-955. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648241229548
