Structural and operational factors affecting quality of patient care in nursing homes.

This article inquires into structural and operational characteristics of nursing homes that have predictive power for the quality of direct patient care provided to their residents. Data are from nursing homes in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area. The data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression. Findings of policy interest are that, other things equal: (1) for-profit facilities provide lower levels of care than do nonprofit facilities; and (2) distantly headquartered chain operations provide lower care levels than locally owned facilities. These factors should be considered in long-term care planning and regulation.