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A case-oriented web-based curriculum in geriatrics was rated favorably by third-year medical students. Students' knowledge increased in key geriatric topics. Student feedback allows for continuous improvement of the curriculum. This model of curricular innovation may be useful for other institutions seeking to develop or enhance geriatric medicine content in the medical school curriculum.

This study was designed to describe the care-planning process used in nursing homes and identify links among care planning, care provided, and the Resident Assessment Instrument and Minimum Data Set (MDS). Study participants in three Midwestern nursing homes included residents and family members, MDS coordinators, direct care staff, administrators, directors of nursing, and medical directors. Data were collected via semi-structured interview, observation, and resident record audit. The care-planning process differed among the three facilities despite the common MDS system structure. Care planning and the MDS system were linked to the care provided to residents through documentation in residents' records, translation of the MDS care plan to the documents used for daily care, and ongoing communication through end-of-shift report and other venues.

Understanding how quality improvement affects costs is important. Unfortunately, low-cost, reliable ways of measuring direct costs are scarce. This article builds on the principles of process improvement to develop a costing strategy that meets both criteria. Process-based costing has 4 steps: developing a flowchart, estimating resource use, valuing resources, and calculating direct costs. To illustrate the technique, this article uses it to cost the care planning process in 3 long-term care facilities. We conclude that process-based costing is easy to implement; generates reliable, valid data; and allows nursing managers to assess the costs of new or modified processes.