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Applying Resource Utilization Groups (RUG-III) in Hong Kong Nursing Homes*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 March 2010

Kee-Lee Chou*
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong
Iris Chi
Affiliation:
School of Social Work, University of South California
Joe C.B. Leung
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong
*
Requests for offprints should be sent to:/Les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à: Kee-Lee Chou, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, (klchou@hku.hk)

Abstract

Resource Utilization Groups III (RUG-III) is a case-mix system developed in the United States for categorization of nursing home residents and the financing of residential care services. In Hong Kong, RUG-III is based on several board groups of residents. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the RUG-III in Hong Kong nursing homes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven residential facilities operated by one agency. Residents (N=1,127) were assessed by the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and nursing as well as auxiliary staff care times were recorded within 2 weeks before or after the completion of MDS assessment. Forty-five out 1,127 residents were re-interviewed by an independent assessor to assess the inter-rater reliability. The inter-rater reliability of MDS assessment was excellent (κ=0.76) and the original RUG-III accounted for about 30 per cent of nursing staff time. Results provide preliminary evidence to support that RUG-III is a reliable and valid case-mix system for Hong Kong nursing homes, but future studies must be explored to reduce the variance of resource use explained by this case-mix system.

Résumé

Le système de classification des malades Resource Utilization Groups III (RUG-III) est un indice de composition de la clientèle élaboré aux États-unis pour classer les pensionnaires des maisons de soins infirmiers et le financement des services de soins en établissement. À Hong Kong, RUG III est basé sur plusieurs groupes de pensionnaires. Le but de la présente étude était d'examiner la fiabilité et la validité de RUG III dans les maisons de soins infirmiers de Hong Kong. Une enquête transversale a été effectuée dans sept établissements de soins de longue durée exploités par une seule agence. Les pensionnaires (n=1 127) ont été évalués selon un ensemble minimal de données et aussi de soins, et le temps passé par le personnel auxiliaire à la dispense des soins a été consigné durant deux semaines avant ou après la fin de l'évaluation de l'ensemble minimal des données. Un évaluateur indépendant a rencontré de nouveau 45 des 1 127 résidents afin d'évaluer le coefficient d'objectivité. Le coefficient d'objectivité de l'évaluation de l'ensemble minimal des données était excellent (Kappa=0,76) et le RUG III initial a compté pour quelque 30 pour cent du temps du personnel infirmier. Les résultats apportent une preuve préliminaire permettant d'étayer que RUG III est un indice fiable et valide de la composition de la clientèle des maisons de soins infirmiers de Hong Kong, mais il faudra effectuer d'autres études afin de réduire la variance de l'utilisation des ressources expliquée par cet indice de composition de la clientèle.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2008

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Footnotes

*

The authors wish to thank our collaborator, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, a research assistant for her assistance in data collection, and those who kindly volunteered to participate in the study. We also acknowledge the work of the project group including Esther Hui, Rebecca Wong, Mee Tim Chow, Kit Yuen, Regina Ting, Joe Sham, Danny Chow, and Harmony Wong and the administration and staff of the facilities participating in this effort. Support for this research was provided by the Research Grant Council (HKU 7295/04H).

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