This article demonstrates how Bayesian networks can be employed as a tool to assess the quality of care in nursing homes. For the data sets analyzed, the proposed model performs comparably to existing quantitative assessment models. In addition, a Bayesian network approach offers several unique advantages. The structure and parameters of a Bayesian network provide rich insight into the multidimensional aspects of the quality of care. Bayesian networks can be used as a guide in implementing limited resources by identifying information that would be most relevant to an assessment. Finally, Bayesian networks provide a straightforward framework for integrating nursing home care quality research that is conducted in various locations and for various purposes.
The findings of this research indicate that nursing home care quality is most accurately represented through a mix of structural, process, and outcome measures of quality. We also observe that the factors affecting the quality of nursing home care collectively determine the overall quality. Hence, focusing on only key factors without addressing other related factors may not substantially improve the quality of nursing home care.
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