Willingness to provide care to AIDS patients in Ohio nursing homes

Results of a mail survey of long term care facilities in Ohio regarding willingness to consider admission of AIDS patients are presented. The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between a variety of organizational and respondent factors and the willingness of the facility to admit AIDS patients. In addition, the impact of specific changes on willingness to admit AIDS patients, the concerns of administrators, and suggested alternatives for the care of AIDS patients were examined. Findings indicate that about 11 percent of responding long term care facilities would consider admission of AIDS patients. No organizational or respondent characteristics were associated with greater likelihood of considering admission of AIDS patients. About 25% of respondents indicated their facility would consider admission of AIDS patients if specific facility or reimbursement changes were made. The major concerns of respondents if AIDS patients were admitted were loss of staff and worry that current residents would leave the facility. About sixty percent of respondents indicated their preferred choice for providing care to AIDS patients was separate long term care facilities for AIDS patients. The implications for public policy information based on these findings are discussed.