Facility ownership and mortality among older adults residing in care homes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nursing or care home characteristics may have a long-term impact on the residents' mortality risks that has not been studied previously. The study's main objective was to assess the association between facility ownership and long-term, all-cause mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a mortality follow-up study on a cohort of 611 nursing-home residents in the city Madrid, Spain, from their 1998-1999 baseline interviews up to September 2013. Residents lived in three types of facilities: public, subsidized and private, which were also sub-classified according to size (number of beds). Residents' information was collected by interviewing the residents themselves, their caregivers and facility physicians. We used time-to-event multivariable models and inverse probability weighting to estimate standardized mortality risk differences. RESULTS: After a 3728 person-year follow-up (median/maximum of 4.8/15.2 years), 519 participants had died. In fully-adjusted models, the standardized mortality risk difference at 5 years of follow-up between medium-sized private facilities and large-sized public facilities was -18.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: -33.4 to -4.5%), with a median survival (95% CI) of 3.6 (0.5 to 6.8) additional years. The fully-standardized 5-year mortality difference (95% CIs) between for-profit private facilities and not-for-profit public institutions was -15.1% (-31.1% to 0.9%), and the fully-standardized median survival difference (95% CIs) was 3.0 (-1.7 to 7.7) years. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results are compatible with an association between factors related with the ownership of facilities and the long-term mortality risk of their residents. One of these factors, the facility size, could partly explain this association.

Better together: Coexistence of for-profit and nonprofit firms with an application to the U.S. hospice industry.

Many markets maintain a nontrivial mix of both nonprofit and for-profit firms, particularly in health care industries such as hospice, nursing homes, and home health. What are the effects of coexistence vs. dominance of one ownership type? We show how the presence of both ownership types can lead to greater diversity in consumer types served, even if both firms merely profit-maximize. This is the case where firms serve consumers for multiple consumption durations, but where donations are part of a nonprofit firm objective function and happen after services have been provided. This finding is strengthened if the good or service has value beyond immediate consumption or the direct consumer. We show these predictions empirically in the hospice industry, using data containing over 90 percent of freestanding U.S. hospices, 2000-2008. Nonprofit and for-profit providers split the patient market according to length of stay, leading to a wider range of patients being served than in the absence of this coexistence.

[Thirty years of history in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS): a necessary but insufficient transition]. / Trinta anos de Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS): uma transição necessária, mas insuficiente.

This article describes changes in the public, nonprofit, and private components of the health care networks and health insurance and health plan companies in Brazil, based on the accumulated knowledge concerning the gains and obstacles in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and differences between policies for democratization and democratizing processes. This central premise allowed analyzing praise versus criticism for the SUS and the contemporary nature of relations between the public and private sectors, drawing on secondary data from agencies in the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches. The article concludes that the highly financialized private and private-charitable sectors imposed anti-democratic and anti-democratizing standards in the use of public funds. The article further concludes that although these sectors have not raised barriers to certain public policies for the expansion of access, they nevertheless prevent the development of the SUS according to the principles set out in the 1988 Constitution.

Considerando o acervo de conhecimentos sobre avanços e impasses do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), detalha-se, com base nas diferenças entre políticas voltadas à democratização e processos democratizantes, mudanças nos componentes público, filantrópico e privado que integram redes assistenciais e empresas de planos e seguros de saúde. Esse fio condutor permitiu interpelar afirmações laudatórias ou pejorativas sobre o SUS e caráter contemporâneo das relações entre o público e o privado a partir da mobilização de informações secundárias de fontes governamentais de órgãos dos poderes Executivo, Legislativo e Judiciário. Conclui-se que o setor privado e filantrópico-privado, eminentemente financeirizados, impuseram padrões para o uso do fundo público anti-democráticos e anti-democratizantes que embora não imponham ao obstáculo à determinados políticas públicas de ampliação do acesso, impedem a efetivação do SUS constitucional.

Este trabajo ha considerado el acervo de conocimientos sobre avances e impases del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), en él se detalla, según las diferencias entre políticas dirigidas a la democratización y procesos democratizantes, cambios en los componentes público, filantrópico y privado, que integran redes asistenciales y empresas de planes y seguros de salud. Este hilo conductor permitió recabar afirmaciones elogiosas o peyorativas sobre el SUS, y el carácter contemporáneo de las relaciones entre lo público y lo privado, a partir de información secundaria de fuentes gubernamentales como: órganos de los poderes Ejecutivo, Legislativo y Judicial. Se concluye que el sector privado y filantrópico-privado, eminentemente financierizados, impusieron patrones antidemocráticos y antidemocratizantes para el uso de fondos públicos que, aunque no impongan obstáculos a determinadas políticas públicas de ampliación del acceso a la salud, impiden la construcción efectiva del SUS constitucional.

Denúncias das trabalhadoras da enfermagem aos sindicatos: o desafio da resistência e da ação / Denuncias de las trabajadores de enfermería a los sindicatos: el reto de la resistencia y de la acción / Complaints of female nursing workers to unions: the challenge of resistance and action

Objetivo analisar as denúncias realizadas por enfermeiras, técnicas e auxiliares de enfermagem nos sindicatos que representam essas categorias no estado da Bahia. Método pesquisa exploratória, qualitativa e documental. Os dados foram agrupados em cinco tipologias da precarização. A análise baseou-se no materialismo dialético. Resultados foram analisadas 64 denúncias. As tipologias de precarização mais frequentes foram Condenação e descarte do direito do trabalho (35,1%) e Vulnerabilidade no trabalho (23,9%). As denúncias revelaram que as trabalhadoras eram atingidas pela precarização do trabalho, sendo o descumprimento do direito trabalhista a principal manifestação da precarização. Conclusão as denúncias realizadas por trabalhadoras do campo da enfermagem nos sindicatos, ainda que sejam uma das formas de resistência à precarização do trabalho, foram em número pequeno, o que pode revelar o medo da perda do emprego, como também a alienação dessas trabalhadoras em relação à luta por seus direitos.

Objetivo analizar las denuncias reportadas por enfermeras, técnicas y auxiliares de enfermería en los sindicatos que representan esas categorías en el estado de Bahía. Método investigación exploratoria, cualitativa y documental. Los datos fueron agrupados en cinco tipologías de la precarización. El análisis se basó en el materialismo dialéctico. Resultados fueron analizadas 64 denuncias. Las tipologías de precarización más frecuentes fueron Condena y desecho del derecho laboral (35,1%) y Vulnerabilidad en el trabajo (23,9%). Las denuncias revelaron que las trabajadoras eran afectadas por la precarización del trabajo, siendo el incumplimiento del derecho laboral la principal manifestación de la precarización. Conclusión las denuncias reportadas por trabajadoras del área de enfermería en los sindicatos, aunque sean una de las formas de resistencia a la precarización del trabajo, fueron en número reducido, lo que puede revelar el miedo de la pérdida del empleo y también la alienación de esas trabajadoras con relación a la lucha por sus derechos.

Objective analyze the complaints of female nurses, nursing technicians and auxiliary nurses to the unions representing these categories in the state of Bahia. Method exploratory, qualitative and documentary research. The data were grouped in five typologies of insecurity. The analysis was based on dialectic materialism. Results Sixty-four complaints were analyzed. The most frequent typologies of precariousness were Condemnation and discarding of labor laws (35.1%) and Vulnerability at work (23.9%). The complaints revealed that the workers were affected by the job precariousness, non-compliance with labor laws being the main manifestation of the precariousness. Conclusion the number of nursing workers' complaints to the unions, despite being one of the forms to resist the job precariousness, was low, which may reveal the fear of losing their job, as well as these workers' alienation from the struggle for their rights.

Do public nursing home care providers deliver higher quality than private providers? Evidence from Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Swedish nursing home care has undergone a transformation, where the previous virtual public monopoly on providing such services has been replaced by a system of mixed provision. This has led to a rapidly growing share of private actors, the majority of which are large, for-profit firms. In the wake of this development, concerns have been voiced regarding the implications for care quality. In this article, we investigate the relationship between ownership and care quality in nursing homes for the elderly by comparing quality levels between public, for-profit, and non-profit nursing home care providers. We also look at a special category of for-profit providers; private equity companies. METHODS: The source of data is a national survey conducted by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare in 2011 at 2710 nursing homes. Data from 14 quality indicators are analyzed, including structure and process measures such as staff levels, staff competence, resident participation, and screening for pressure ulcers, nutrition status, and risk of falling. The main statistical method employed is multiple OLS regression analysis. We differentiate in the analysis between structural and processual quality measures. RESULTS: The results indicate that public nursing homes have higher quality than privately operated homes with regard to two structural quality measures: staffing levels and individual accommodation. Privately operated nursing homes, on the other hand, tend to score higher on process-based quality indicators such as medication review and screening for falls and malnutrition. No significant differences were found between different ownership categories of privately operated nursing homes. CONCLUSIONS: Ownership does appear to be related to quality outcomes in Swedish nursing home care, but the results are mixed and inconclusive. That staffing levels, which has been regarded as a key quality indicator in previous research, are higher in publicly operated homes than private is consistent with earlier findings. The fact that privately operated homes, including those operated by for-profit companies, had higher processual quality is more unexpected, given previous research. Finally, no significant quality differences were found between private ownership types, i.e. for-profit, non-profit, and private equity companies, which indicates that profit motives are less important for determining quality in Swedish nursing home care than in other countries where similar studies have been carried out.

Do Nursing Home Chain Size and Proprietary Status Affect Experiences With Care?

BACKGROUND: In 2012, over half of nursing homes were operated by corporate chains. Facilities owned by the largest for-profit chains were reported to have lower quality of care. However, it is unknown how nursing home chain ownerships are related with experiences of care. OBJECTIVES: To study the relationship between nursing home chain characteristics (chain size and profit status) with patients' family member reported ratings on experiences with care. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY DESIGN: Maryland nursing home care experience reports, the Online Survey, Certification, And Reporting (OSCAR) files, and Area Resource Files are used. Our sample consists of all nongovernmental nursing homes in Maryland from 2007 to 2010. Consumer ratings were reported for: overall care; recommendation of the facility; staff performance; care provided; food and meals; physical environment; and autonomy and personal rights. We identified chain characteristics from OSCAR, and estimated multivariate random effect linear models to test the effects of chain ownership on care experience ratings. RESULTS: Independent nonprofit nursing homes have the highest overall rating score of 8.9, followed by 8.6 for facilities in small nonprofit chains, and 8.5 for independent for-profit facilities. Facilities in small, medium, and large for-profit chains have even lower overall ratings of 8.2, 7.9, and 8.0, respectively. We find similar patterns of differences in terms of recommendation rate, and important areas such as staff communication and quality of care. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that Maryland nursing homes affiliated with large-for-profit and medium-for-profit chains had lower ratings of family reported experience with care.

[Private companies: an opportunity for hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevention and care in Ivory Coast in the wake of HIV/AIDS?]. / Les entreprises privées, une opportunité pour la prévention et la prise en charge du virus de l'hépatite B (VHB) en Côte d'Ivoire, dans le sillage du VIH ?

In the 1990s, defenders of "aids exceptionnalism" have promised that the inequities caused by HIV/AIDS could provide leverage in the care of other health issues later. Fifteen years later, this argument can be rethought at the light of the current context of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Ivory Coast. In fact, in this country, the challenges caused by HBVecho those of HIV/AIDS fifteen years ago: high prevalence (8-10%), ignorance of the disease, and high cost of care. To this end, this article compares the role of private companies in the fights against HIV/AIDS in the 2000s and its role in the fight against HBV today. Although some private firms played a critical role in the promotion of universal access to ART, today, they are one of the few places where HBV screening, vaccination and treatment are offered in the country. HIV/AIDS opened the door for private companies to address other diseases through their health care systems. However, many challenges still need to be met: the absence of qualitative ongoing training for health professionals, illness representations and the costs of treatments, which are all related to the lack of international and national collective action. In Ivory Coast, at the early stage of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, national authorities took up the leadership in the fight against AIDS in West Africa, by developing extraverted strategies (Xth ICASA's organization, Unaids initiative hosting). The exceptional international mobilization and the creation of innovative funding mechanisms [International Therapeutic Solidarity Fund (ITSF), Global Fund (GM), and President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)] have facilitated easy access to ARV. Although 380 million people are infected by chronic HBV in the world, even so, international and national collective actions are fledgling and remained weak. Moreover, private firms have represented leverage for testing, treatment, and the provision of universal access to medication in the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ivory Coast, as relayed by other public and private actors. In the HBV context, private companies can only be a vector for the development of a two tier healthcare system. Therefore, the lack of a strong international commitment prevents public and private local initiatives to generalize HBV prevention and treatment.

Modalidades de vinculación de los profesionales de la salud con establecimientos privados

Los establecimientos privados de salud ubicados en la ciudad de Córdoba se vinculan con los profesionales de la salud principalmente mediante el uso de contratos del derecho laboral. Sin embargo, y si bien en menor medida, se recurre también a figuras del derecho civil tales como las locaciones de servicio. En menores casos, se emplea el alquiler de consultorios. Se observa un marcado proceso de profesionalización de los encargados de recursos humanos, pero ello no ha sido obstáculo para que la mayoría de los establecimientos haya experimentado reclamos y demandas. El conocimiento y manejo apropiado de estas modalidades de vinculación contribuye a una gestión más adecuada del recurso humano, con apego a las normas aplicables, evitando exponer al establecimiento y a sus directivos a reclamos laborales.

Private-Owned health-services Institutions located in Córdoba, Argentina, create ties with health professionals mainly by using labor law contracts. However, and even though it takes place in small numbers, they also uses civl law contracts locally known as “Locación de Servicios”. Renting medical offices is also used and known, but in fewer cases. A significant process in which human resources staff have being becoming more professional and properly organized can be observed. Nevertheless, that is not an obstacle for most of the Institutions for being subject to labor claims and lawsuits. Proper knowledge of the different ways in which health professionals may relate themselves with Institutions contributes to a proper human resources management, avoiding exposure to labor claims for both the Institution and its management.

Does ownership matter? An overview of systematic reviews of the performance of private for-profit, private not-for-profit and public healthcare providers.

INTRODUCTION: Ownership of healthcare providers has been considered as one factor that might influence their health and healthcare related performance. The aim of this article was to provide an overview of what is known about the effects on economic, administrative and health related outcomes of different types of ownership of healthcare providers--namely public, private non-for-profit (PNFP) and private for-profit (PFP)--based on the findings of systematic reviews (SR). METHODS AND FINDINGS: An overview of systematic reviews was performed. Different databases were searched in order to select SRs according to an explicit comprehensive criterion. Included SRs were assessed to determine their methodological quality. Of the 5918 references reviewed, fifteen SR were included, but six of them were rated as having major limitations, so they weren't incorporated in the analyses. According to the nine analyzed SR, ownership does seem to have an effect on health and healthcare related outcomes. In the comparison of PFP and PNFP providers, significant differences in terms of mortality of patients and payments to facilities have been found, both being higher in PFP facilities. In terms of quality and economic indicators such as efficiency, there are no concluding results. When comparing PNFP and public providers, as well as for PFP and public providers, no clear differences were found. CONCLUSION: PFP providers seem to have worst results than their PNFP counterparts, but there are still important evidence gaps in the literature that needs to be covered, including the comparison between public and both PFP and PNFP providers. More research is needed in low and middle income countries to understand the impact on and development of healthcare delivery systems.

Differences in adult day services center participant characteristics by center ownership: United States, 2012.

KEY FINDINGS: Data from the National Study of Long-Term Care Providers. In 2012, more than one-third of participants in adult day services centers were younger than 65. A higher percentage of participants in nonprofit centers than in for-profit centers were younger than 65. About one-half of participants in adult day services centers were non-Hispanic white persons. A higher percentage of participants in for-profit centers than in nonprofit centers were Hispanic or were non-Hispanic and of a race other than black or white. Almost one-third of adult day services center participants had Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, and about one-quarter had a developmental disability. A lower percentage of participants in for-profit than in nonprofit centers had Alzheimer's disease or other dementias or a developmental disability. The 4,800 adult day services centers nationwide provide a variety of services to their 273,200 participants, the majority of whom are older adults and women (1). The number of for-profit adult day services centers has grown in recent years (2). The 1,900 for-profit centers, representing 40% of centers nationally, served nearly one-half (47%) of center participants in 2012 (3). Using data from the National Study of Long-Term Care Providers, this report presents selected characteristics of adult day services center participants in 2012 and compares the characteristics of participants in for-profit centers with those in nonprofit centers.

Assessment of facility readiness and provider preparedness for dealing with postpartum haemorrhage and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in public and private health facilities of northern Karnataka, India: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The maternal mortality ratio in India has been declining over the past decade, but remains unacceptably high at 212 per 100,000 live births. Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and pre- eclampsia/eclampsia contribute to 40% of all maternal deaths. We assessed facility readiness and provider preparedness to deal with these two maternal complications in public and private health facilities of northern Karnataka state, south India. METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional study of 131 primary health centres (PHCs) and 148 higher referral facilities (74 public and 74 private) in eight districts of the region. Facility infrastructure and providers' knowledge related to screening and management of complications were assessed using facility checklists and test cases, respectively. We also attempted an audit of case sheets to assess provider practice in the management of complications. Chi square tests were used for comparing proportions. RESULTS: 84.5% and 62.9% of all facilities had atleast one doctor and three nurses, respectively; only 13% of higher facilities had specialists. Magnesium sulphate, the drug of choice to control convulsions in eclampsia was available in 18% of PHCs, 48% of higher public facilities and 70% of private facilities. In response to the test case on eclampsia, 54.1% and 65.1% of providers would administer anti-hypertensives and magnesium sulphate, respectively; 24% would administer oxygen and only 18% would monitor for magnesium sulphate toxicity. For the test case on PPH, only 37.7% of the providers would assess for uterine tone, and 40% correctly defined early PPH. Specialists were better informed than the other cadres, and the differences were statistically significant. We experienced generally poor response rates for audits due to non-availability and non-maintenance of case sheets. CONCLUSIONS: Addressing gaps in facility readiness and provider competencies for emergency obstetric care, alongside improving coverage of institutional deliveries, is critical to improve maternal outcomes. It is necessary to strengthen providers' clinical and problem solving skills through capacity building initiatives beyond pre-service training, such as through onsite mentoring and supportive supervision programs. This should be backed by a health systems response to streamline staffing and supply chains in order to improve the quality of emergency obstetric care.

The effects of regulation and litigation on a large for-profit nursing home chain.

This article examines the effects of state regulation and civil class action litigation on corporate compliance with nurse staffing and quality standards, corporate strategies to manage staffing and quality, and corporate financial status of a large for-profit nursing home chain. A historical case study was used to examine multiple public data sources, focusing on facilities in California from 2003 to 2011 during and after regulatory actions and litigation. The results showed that the state issued numerous deficiencies for violations of the nurse staffing and quality standards with minimal impact on quality compliance with state law. A class action jury trial found that the chain violated the state's minimum staffing standard on one-third of the total days during a six-year period and awarded a $677 million verdict. A court settlement and supervised injunction resulted in compliance with minimum staffing and some improvement in quality measures, but quality levels remained below the average California facilities. The litigation also had some negative financial impact on Skilled Healthcare Group's California facilities and parent company. Civil litigation had more impact on the chain than the regulatory oversight.

Contextual determinants of US nursing home racial/ethnic diversity.

We hypothesized that for-profit/chain affiliated nursing homes, those in states with higher Medicaid reimbursement, and those in more competitive markets would have greater resident racial/ethnic diversity than nursing homes not meeting these criteria. Using 2004 Online Survey, Certification and Reporting data, Minimum Data Set, Lewis Mumford Center for Comparative Urban and Regional Research data, and the Area Resource File, we included U.S. Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing homes (N = 8950) located in 310 Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The dependent variable quantified facility-level multiracial diversity. Ordinary least squares regression showed support for the hypothesized relationships: for-profit/chain affiliated nursing homes were more diverse than nursing homes in all other ownership/chain member categories, while higher Medicaid per-diem rates, greater residential diversity, and stronger market competition were also positively associated with nursing home racial/ethnic composition. Results suggest there is room for policy changes to achieve equitable access to all levels of nursing home services for minority elders.

Case-mix and quality indicators in Chinese elder care homes: are there differences between government-owned and private-sector facilities?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between ownership of Chinese elder care facilities and their performance quality and to compare the case-mix profile of residents and facility characteristics in government-owned and private-sector homes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Census of elder care homes surveyed in Nanjing (2009) and Tianjin (2010). PARTICIPANTS: Elder care facilities located in urban Nanjing (n = 140, 95% of all) and urban Tianjin (n = 157, 97% of all). MEASUREMENTS: A summary case-mix index based on activity of daily living (ADL) limitations and cognitive impairment was created to measure levels of care needs of residents in each facility. Structure, process, and outcome measures were selected to assess facility-level quality of care. A structural quality measure, understaffing relative to resident levels of care needs, which indicates potentially inadequate staffing given resident case-mix, was also developed. RESULTS: Government-owned homes had significantly higher occupancy rates, presumably reflecting popular demand for publicly subsidized beds, but served residents who, on average, have fewer ADL and cognitive functioning limitations than those in private-sector facilities. Across a range of structure, process, and outcome measures of quality, there is no clear evidence suggesting advantages or disadvantages of either ownership type, although when staffing-to-resident ratio is gauged relative to resident case-mix, private-sector facilities were more likely to be understaffed than government-owned facilities. CONCLUSION: In Nanjing and Tianjin, private-sector homes were more likely to be understaffed, although their residents were sicker and frailer on average than those in government facilities. It is likely that the case-mix differences are the result of selective admission policies that favor healthier residents in government facilities than in private-sector homes.

[Development of Human Health Discoveries. 10 years results of Young Innovative Company incubation]. / Le développement des découvertes en Santé Humaine. Résultats de 10 ans d'incubation de Jeunes Entreprises Innovantes.

Medicine is evolving every day in its operating procedures and the services offered to patients, emphasizing personalized medicine, safety and medical benefits. The individual patient is more than ever the hub of healthcare organization. Medical innovation is thus a public health priority. However it requires an accurate assessment of medical utility and risk-benefit ratios, and in-depth analysis of economic and organizational impacts. Ten years of experience in the Paris Biotech Santé company incubator has identified key actions for effective support of research projects and the success of innovative companies. Strong expertise is needed to prepare development plans, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and obtain research funding. During its first decade, this incubator has created 87 innovative companies employing 1500 people, raised more than 90 million euros of funding, and reached a cumulative company value of 1200 million euros. Key factors of success have been identified, but an analysis of the causes of failure shows that operational adjustments are mandatory, particularly a strong commitment from medical experts, in order to promote access to new and useful products for patients while at the same time assessing their social impact.