National Nursing Home Survey, 2004

The National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS) is a survey of nursing homes and related care facilities in the United States. During 2004, information regarding facility and financial characteristics was gathered from 1,174 facilities, along with current resident information for 13,507 residents, with additional information from 3,017 Nursing Assistants. The 2004 NNHS, conducted between August and December of 2004, was reintroduced into the field after a five-year break, during which time the survey was redesigned and expanded to collect many new data items using the National Nursing Assistant Survey (NNAS), which was sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (APSE) and is the first national study of nursing assistants working in nursing facilities in the United States. Facilities (DS 1) information was gathered through personal interviews with facility administrators and provided information on topics such as certification, availability of beds, and kinds of services provided, including dental, hospice, and nutrition. Current Residents (DS 2) information includes questions regarding age, race, marital status, level of care, and use of aids such as walkers, hearing aids, and crutches. Nursing Assistants (Part 3) information looked at the important role of nursing assistants in providing long-term care services for the growing population of the elderly and chronically ill. The NNAS gathered information regarding recruitment, education, training and licensure, job history, and family life, along with client relations, job satisfaction, and workplace environment.