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Predicting Nursing Home Adherence to a Clinical Trial Intervention: Lessons for the Conduct of Cluster Randomized Trials
Author(s) -
Tjia Jennifer,
Mazor Kathleen M.,
Field Terry,
Doherty Peter,
Spenard Ann,
Gurwitz Jerry H.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03697.x
Subject(s) - medicine , staffing , intervention (counseling) , randomized controlled trial , medicaid , nursing , family medicine , clinical trial , cluster randomised controlled trial , cluster (spacecraft) , physical therapy , health care , computer science , economics , programming language , economic growth
Objectives To describe factors predictive of nursing home ( NH ) adherence to a clinical trial intervention. Design Post hoc analysis of a cluster randomized trial ( CRT ) evaluating a structured communication intervention to improve nurse–physician telephone communication in NHs . Setting NH . Participants All eligible licensed nursing staff in all participating NHs . Measurements Adherence was defined as active participation for at least 3 months of the 12‐month trial. NH characteristics hypothesized to affect trial outcomes (profit status, bed size, nursing staff time, NH quality, and leadership turnover) were measured a priori. The association between intervention adherence, NH characteristics and preintervention questionnaire response rate was examined. Results Of 13 intervention NHs , seven adhered to the intervention. Three factors differentiated adherent from nonadherent NHs : director of nursing turnover (nonadherent NHs 50% vs adherent NHs 0%, P = .03); Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS ) nurse staffing rating (range: 1–5) (nonadherent NHs mean 3.7 ± 0.5 vs adherent NHs mean 4.3 ± 0.5), P = .048); and questionnaire response rate (nonadherent NHs 15.6 ± 10.0% vs adherent NHs 34.2 ± 12.1%, P = .02). Profit status, bed size, and number of NH deficiencies on state surveys were not significantly associated with intervention adherence. Conclusion CMS nurse staffing rating, leadership turnover, and questionnaire response rate are associated with adherence to a CRT intervention. Pretrial evaluation of NH staffing rating by CMS and of response to a questionnaire can help investigators improve trial efficiency by screening for NHs likely to adhere to a CRT intervention.