Overview of Quality Measures

Percent of residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased

The percent of long term residents who are worsening in their ability to perform at least one of four activities of daily living (ADLs). These activities include the ability to move in bed, move from one chair to another, independence in eating, and the ability to go to the bathroom independently.

Percent of residents who have moderate to severe pain

The percent of residents who have had moderate pain every day for seven consecutive days or horrible, excruciating pain for any length of time. This means that even if a patient feels excruciating pain only once, and even though the pain is recognized and quickly controlled, it will still show up in the facility's percent of residents with pain.

Percent of residents who were physically restrained

The percent of chronic/long term care residents who were physically restrained on a daily basis for the 7-day assessment period with any device, material, or equipment attached or adjacent to a resident's body that prevents a resident from moving freely. Some examples are: vests, chairs with lap trays, lap belts, or wrist restraints. Side rails are not included in the calculation of the measure.

Percent of high-risk residents who have pressure sores

The percent of chronic/long term care high risk residents who have one or more pressure sores. High risk residents are those who are impaired in bed mobility or transfer, comatose, and/or malnourished. Pressure sores, also called pressure ulcers, are areas of injured skin and tissue that often develop over the bony parts of the body, such as the tailbone, hip, ankle, or heel.

Percent of low-risk residents who have pressure sores

The percent of chronic/long term care low risk residents who have one or more pressure sores. Low risk residents are those who are able to be active, change positions, and get the nutrients they need. Pressure sores, also called pressure ulcers, are areas of injured skin and tissue that often develop over the bony parts of the body, such as the tailbone, hip, ankle, or heel.

Percent of residents with a urinary tract infection

The percent of chronic/long term care residents who had a urinary tract infection in the last thirty days. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common infection in long term care facilities.

Percent of residents who spent most of their time in bed or in a chair

The percent of chronic/long term care residents who spend most of their time in bed or in a chair in their room.

Percent of residents who have become more depressed or anxious

The percent of chronic/long term care residents who have increased feelings of sadness/hopelessness or uneasiness/irritability, expressed by avoidance of social interaction or inappropriate social interaction.

Percent of low-risk residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder

The percent of low-risk, chronic-care residents who often lose control of their bowels or bladder. Low-risk residents include those who do not have severe dementia (loss of intellect including impaired memory and judgment) or loss of ability to perform all the activities of daily living (ADLs, which include eating, dressing and toileting).

Percent of residents who have/had a catheter inserted and left in their bladder

The percent of chronic/long term care residents who have had a catheter inserted and left in their bladder for a period of time during the 14-day assessment period. This measure is paired with the loss of bowel or bladder control measure.

Percent of residents whose ability to move about in and around their room got worse

The percent of chronic/long term care residents whose ability to move about in their room and the nearby hallway got worse since their last assessment.

Percent of chronic/long term care residents who lose too much weight

The percent of chronic-care residents who have experienced weight loss of 5% or more in the last 30 days or 10% or more in the last 180 days.

Percent of short stay residents who had moderate to severe pain

The percent of residents who have had moderate pain every day for seven consecutive days or horrible, excruciating pain for any length of time. This means that even if a patient feels excruciating pain only once, and even though the pain is recognized and quickly controlled, it will still show up in the facility's percent of residents with pain.

Percent of short stay residents with delirium

The percent of short stay residents who have symptoms of delirium. Delirium is an acute or sudden state of confusion that involves a significant decline in alertness and level of functioning.

Percent of short stay residents with pressure sores

The percent of short stay residents who have developed pressure sores or who had pressure sores that did not improve during an assessment period. Pressure sores, also called pressure ulcers, are areas of injured skin and tissue that often develop over the bony parts of the body, such as the tailbone, hip, ankle, or heel.