A recent analysis of 43 peer-reviewed comparative studies of long-term care facilities confirms that not-for-profit facilities have a considerable advantage in almost every dimension of care.
When for-profit corporations deliver long-term residential care, public health care costs and private spending on health care both increase. Patient health is worse, staff turnover increases and patients and families are less satisfied
Not-for-profit | For-profit | |
Better physical plant and environment | ||
Room maintenance | ||
Physical plant maintenance | ||
Food | ||
Patient control of environment | ||
Good staffing practices | ||
Staff/patient ratio | ||
Skill mix | ||
Wages | ||
Benefits | ||
Staff involvement in care plans | ||
Low turnover rates/continuity of staff | ||
Patient care | ||
Use of advanced directives (living wills, do-not-resuscitate orders) | ||
Pain management programs | ||
Specialized hospice programs | ||
Use of anti-psychotic drugs | ||
Low level of citations for deficiencies | ||
Patient health | ||
Fewest admissions to hospitals for: | ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
| same | same |
| same | same |
| same | same |
| same | same |
Least use of restraints | ||
Least incidence of infection | ||
Hospitalization rates | same | same |
Most physician involvement | ||
Most expenditures | ||
Patient per day | ||
Staffing | ||
Use of practical nurses | ||
Use of physicians | ||
Wages and benefits | ||
Skilled staff mix | ||
Staff training | ||
Nursing care | ||
Administration |
Source: Dr. Michael M. Rachlis, “The Hidden Costs of Privatization: An International Comparison of Community and Continuing Care” in Without Foundation, a joint project of the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives - BC, the British Columbia Government Employees Union, the British Columbia Nurses Union, and CUPEs Hospital Employees Union, November 2000.