Objective-Staff communication has been shown to influence overall nursing home (NH) performance. However, no empirical studies have focused specifically on the impact of CNA communication on end-of-life (EOL) care processes. This study examines the relationship between CNA communication and nursing home performance in EOL care processes.
Design-Secondary data analysis of two NH surveys conducted in 2006-07.Setting-107 nursing homes in New York State.
Participants-2,636 CNAs and 107 directors of nursing (DON).Measurements-The measures of EOL care processes-EOL assessment and care delivery (5-point Likert scale scores) -were obtained from survey responses provided by 107 Directors of Nursing (DON). The measure of CNA communication was derived from survey responses obtained from 2,636 CNAs. Other independent variables included staff education, hospice use intensity, staffing ratio, staff-resident ethnic overlap index, facility religious affiliation and ownership.Methods-The reliability and validity of the measures of EOL care processes and CNA communication were tested in the current study sample. Multivariate linear regression models with probability weights were employed. The analysis was conducted at the facility level.Results-We found better CNA communication to be significantly associated with better EOL assessment (p = 0.043) and care delivery (p= 0.098). Two potentially modifiable factors-staff education and hospice use intensity-were associated with NHs' performance in EOL care processes. Facilities with greater ethnic overlap between staff and residents demonstrated better EOL assessment (p = 0.051) and care delivery scores (P = 0.029).Conclusion-Better CNA communication was associated with better performance in EOL care processes. Our findings provide specific insights for NH leaders striving to improve EOL care processes and ultimately the quality of care for dying residents.Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Today, more than 20% of Americans die in nursing homes. [1][2][3] With the aging of the Baby Boomer generation this figure is projected to exceed 40% by 2020. 4 Although the nursing home is an important setting for many Americans to receive care prior to death, the quality of endof-life (EOL) care in nursing homes is reported to be inadequate. EOL residents often suffer from distressing symptoms such as pain, dyspnea and depression at the end of life. [5][6][7] Many residents with pain and other symptoms remain undiagnosed and untreated. 8,9 Research suggests that insufficient staff knowledge and skills with regard to communication, asses...