Initial field testing of an instrument to measure: Observable indicators of nursing home care quality

The "Observable Indicators of Nursing Home Care Quality" instrument was dev eloped as a new measure of nursing home care quality. The Instrument is bas ed on a theoretical model of quality nursing home care grounded in data fro m provider and consumer focus groups. The instrument was piloted in 10 Miss ouri nursing homes. Subsequent versions were tested in 109 Missouri and 11 Icelandic nursing homes. Content validity was established using experts. Co ncurrent and known groups validity was evaluated using Minimum Data Set qua lity indicators, survey citations, and a process of care measure. Interrate r and test-retest reliabilities were calculated as well as coefficient alph a. The "Observable Indicators of Nursing Home Care Quality" instrument is a new measure that can be used by researchers, and potentially by regulators , consumers, or providers, to observe and score specific indicators of qual ity care following a 20- to 30-minute inspection of a nursing home.