Providing High-Quality Care During a Pandemic: Nursing Home Administrator Perspectives

Nursing home administrators are responsible for promoting quality improvement (QI), a challenging task during a pandemic. In the current study, a convenience sample of 28 administrators of non-profit nursing homes was recruited for interviews regarding leadership during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. The purpose was to elicit administrator insights into sustainable QI initiatives and factors contributing to QI success during a pandemic. Open-ended interview items focused on QI initiatives, pandemic-related advice to new administrators, and ways external parties can contribute to QI during a pandemic. Administrators highlighted QI initiatives in social connections, infection control, and innovative activities. Advice to new administrators included team development, maintaining a positive attitude, and extensive communication. Administrators recommended that external parties respect infection control measures, seek alternatives to restrictive regulations, and commend staff. Nurses may be better able to lead or assist in implementing nursing home QI initiatives informed by findings from this study. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49(8), 14-18.].