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University of Maryland School of Nursing Awarded National Council of State Boards of Nursing Grant
October 28, 2015
Research team to examine regulations and training for long-term care facilities.
Baltimore, Md. – Alison M. Trinkoff, ScD, MPH, BSN, RN, FAAN, professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), has been awarded a grant from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The award is a two-year, $296,700 grant for the research project Long-Term Care Training and Provider Regulations for Optimal Resident Outcomes.
Trinkoff, who is serving as the project’s principal investigator, is also teaming with UMSON faculty members Nancy B. Lerner, DNP, RN, CDONA, assistant professor, and Carla Storr, ScD, MPH, professor; Kihye Han, PhD ‘11, RN, assistant professor, Chung-Ang Red Cross University College of Nursing, Seoul; UMSON doctoral candidate Bo Kyum Yang MSN, RN; and consultant Ayse P. Gurses, PhD, MS, associate professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
As the U.S. experiences a sharp increase in elderly citizens, the demand for residential long-term care services will continue to rise. Currently, residential long-term care is a $357-billion industry that houses more than 2-million residents. The two major sectors providing care are nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALF). However, nursing homes are no longer the only residential long-term care (LTC) option for the elderly. With the volume and complexity of care needed for the elderly, the demand for alternative residential models has increased; with many older adults now opting to reside in ALFs.
Many states have minimal training and education requirements for assisted living personnel, and there is no nationwide program for facility inspections or data to evaluate the quality of care. In contrast, nursing homes are federally regulated and are required to report outcomes. The research team aims to identify areas where nursing homes and ALFs (e.g., populations and needs, and facility characteristics) provide evidence to support regulatory recommendations and ultimately improve care for all LTC residents.
"I am very grateful to NCBSN for awarding us this funding to continue our team's important work on the relationship of long-term care regulations and resident outcomes,” Trinkoff said. “Many states have minimal training and education requirements for assisted living personnel. We plan to shed more light on what is happening in assisted living facilities.”
NCBSN is a non-profit organization that provides education, service, and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.
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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools, and is ranked sixth nationally. Enrolling more than 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.