Assessing Associations Between Health Information Technology Maturity and Nursing Home Survey Deficiencies

One in three nursing home (NH) residents experience adverse events. One strategy for safer NH care is health information technology (HIT). Two national NH surveys measuring HIT maturity were administered in 2020 (N = 719) and 2021 (N = 312). Quarterly NH survey deficiencies from the same years were linked to HIT maturity surveys. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used in analysis. NHs were of similar size and location, with more for-profit facilities. Most (67.5% and 61.9%, respectively) NH administrators reported having capabilities to share data internally within their facility, and not externally. Mean HIT maturity scores increased from Year 1 to Year 2. Over 2 years, 5,406 deficiencies were reported, mostly (31.3%) for nutrition and dietary deficiencies. There were negative associations between HIT maturity and deficiency scope. With a 1-unit increase in HIT maturity, relative risk of widespread scope decreased by 14%. Among covariates, bed size, staffing, and year were significant factors associated with deficiency scope. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(1), 8-14.].