Interpreting the Meaning of Ombudsman Data Across States: The Critical Analyst-Practitioner Link

Abstract

In this article, the authors report data from four states that have computerized their long-term care ombudsman databases and are using the same software. The authors explore the apparent differences among these four states to encourage critical thinking in interpreting the meaning of these data. Just as a national ombudsman database draws closer, so does the need for practitioners, researchers, educators, and policy makers to be vigilant in understanding that data must be contextualized. Otherwise, premature and inaccurate conclusions may be drawn. Critically important is the link between those persons who analyze and interpret and the ombudsman practitioners who collect and report these data. When the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) was enacted into public law, congress and the Administration on Aging (AoA) were responding to widespread reports of the inadequacies of, and abuses in, nursing homes. The federal government, as principal payer for nursing home 3 AUTHORS' NOTE: We want to thank the many state and local ombudsmen who have shared their experiences with us. An earlier version of this article was presented at the American Society on Aging (ASA) in Nashville, Tennessee, in March 1997. The work reflected in this article was supported, in part, by the Administration on Aging, DHHS, Grant 90AM0759. The contents of this article reflect the views of the authors and should not be construed as those of the Administration on Aging. We support efforts toward gender-neutral language in the social sciences and prefer to use the term ombudsperson instead of ombudsman. We have learned, however, that program officials have decided to keep the original term as it came from Sweden. Our goal is to strengthen the program, not to offend ombudsmen, so we acquiesce to their preference of terms.

Association between Traditional Nursing Home Quality Measures and Two Sources of Nursing Home Complaints

“…The categorization of complaints and databases used to track them vary widely across states (Huber et al. ). Also, Ombudsman programs are often concerned about confidentiality issues.…”

“…Despite the presence of the Ombudsman within each state and the numerous complaints the program receives directly from nursing home residents and caregivers, Ombudsman complaints have seldom been studied for two reasons. The categorization of complaints and databases used to track them vary widely across states (Huber et al 2000). Also, Ombudsman programs are often concerned about confidentiality issues.…”

Interests and Skills of Volunteers in an Ombudsman Program: Opportunities for Participation

“…The legislation for nursing home reform that requires states to establish nursing home ombudsman/advocacy programs has been described elsewhere (Filinson, 1995;Harris-Wehling, Feasley, & Estes, 1995;Huber, Borders, Netting, & Kautz, 2000;Netting, Huber, Paton, & Kautz, 1995). The office of the long-term care ombudsman is to "investigate and resolve complaints made by long-term care residents; monitor laws, regulations, and policies affecting long-term care .…”

Factors Associated With Perceived Effectiveness of Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs in New York and California

“…Empirical research examining ombudsman programs was limited prior to the 1990s (Buford, 1984; Monk, Kaye, & Litwin, 1984). These efforts typically focused on individual state or local program studies or historical-policy pieces (Allen, Klein, & Gruman, 2003; Cherry, 1991, 1993; Huber, Borders, Badrak, Netting, & Nelson, 2001; Huber, Borders, Netting, & Kautz, 2000; Nelson, Huber, & Walter, 1995; Nelson, Hooker, DeHart, Edwards, & Lanning, 2004; Netting, Huber, & Kautz, 1995; Netting, Huber, Paton, & Kautz, 1995; Whitford & Yates, 2002).…”