Western Kentucky University
Nursing Home Administrators’ Perceived Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
Institution
Western Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Christian Williams; Melanie Eaton
Abstract
Historically, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been plagued with poor reputations due to a lack of quality and adequate care. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 was the first attempt at revising nursing care standards in SNFs. Since then, little has been done to improve standards of care in a SNF. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law in 2010, established new guidelines for SNFs as part of its health care reform goals. Title VI, Part B, of PPACA deals almost exclusively with SNFs. Some provisions under Title VI include increasing SNF accountability and transparency in order to enhance ethical standards and quality of care. To understand the effects of PPACA on SNFs, this study assessed the views of health care administrators on PPACA as well as gauged their knowledge level of PPACA and its implications. A survey was sent out to SNF administrators in Kentucky and Tennessee. The study showed that administrators showed concerns with the effectiveness of PPACA, agreed that they understood the implications of PPACA on its facility but not the entire act itself, and expressed issues with how to best implement the changes in their facilities. It was also observed that the administrators believe that their staff does not understand PPACA and the effects it has on their facilities. The results of this study indicate a lack of knowledge on how to best implement PPACA standards. It is interesting to note that the majority of respondents felt their staff did not have a basic understanding of PPACA and its effects. This would indicate a need for additional training. Overall, administrators seem uncertain of the positive effects of PPACA but indicate they are doing everything possible to comply with standards to maximize the best outcomes for residents.
Nursing Home Administrators’ Perceived Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
Historically, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been plagued with poor reputations due to a lack of quality and adequate care. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 was the first attempt at revising nursing care standards in SNFs. Since then, little has been done to improve standards of care in a SNF. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law in 2010, established new guidelines for SNFs as part of its health care reform goals. Title VI, Part B, of PPACA deals almost exclusively with SNFs. Some provisions under Title VI include increasing SNF accountability and transparency in order to enhance ethical standards and quality of care. To understand the effects of PPACA on SNFs, this study assessed the views of health care administrators on PPACA as well as gauged their knowledge level of PPACA and its implications. A survey was sent out to SNF administrators in Kentucky and Tennessee. The study showed that administrators showed concerns with the effectiveness of PPACA, agreed that they understood the implications of PPACA on its facility but not the entire act itself, and expressed issues with how to best implement the changes in their facilities. It was also observed that the administrators believe that their staff does not understand PPACA and the effects it has on their facilities. The results of this study indicate a lack of knowledge on how to best implement PPACA standards. It is interesting to note that the majority of respondents felt their staff did not have a basic understanding of PPACA and its effects. This would indicate a need for additional training. Overall, administrators seem uncertain of the positive effects of PPACA but indicate they are doing everything possible to comply with standards to maximize the best outcomes for residents.