Factors that influence end-of-life care in nursing homes: The physical environment, inadequate staffing, and lack of supervision

Jeanie Kayser-Jones, Ellen Schell, William Lyons, Alison E. Kris, Joyce Chan, Renée L. Beard

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

104 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the physical environment and organizational factors that influenced the process of providing care to terminally ill nursing home residents. Design and Methods: Participant observation, interviews, and event analysis were used to obtain data in two proprietary facilities. Results: The physical environment was not conducive to end-of-life care. The rooms were crowded, there was little privacy, and the facilities were noisy. Inadequate staffing and lack of supervision were among the most significant organizational factors that influenced care. Often, residents did not receive basic care, such as bathing, oral hygiene, adequate food and fluids, and repositioning. A consequence of inadequate staffing was the development of pressure ulcers; 54% of the residents had pressure ulcers; 82% of these residents died with pressure ulcers. Implications: Findings suggest that the nursing home environment in these two facilities, as now structured, is an inappropriate setting for end-of-life care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)76-84
Number of pages9
JournalGerontologist
Volume43
Issue numberSPEC. ISS. 2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Death and dying
  • Environmental factors
  • Inadequate staffing
  • Nursing homes
  • Palliative care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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