Factors associated with the use of electronic information systems for drug dispensing and medication administration records in nursing homes

Objectives: Nursing homes (NHs) provide complex care for individuals with comorbidity who rely on multiple medications. Electronic information system (EIS) may reduce errors in drug dispensing and medical administration records (MAR). This paper tests whether the percentage of occupancy and metropolitan location are associated with the likelihood of using EIS for clinical care support. Design/Setting: This study is a retrospective secondary analysis of a national survey database, using the facility-level data from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey. Multivariate logistic regression is used to model the likelihood of having EIS. The facility characteristic variables include occupancy rates, metropolitan (MSA) status, number of services, census region, accreditation status, ownership, administrator's tenure, and education. Results: Hypothesis 1 is partially supported by the results of the multivariate analysis, while hypothesis 2 is not supported. NHs providing more services are more likely to have EIS for drug dispensing and MAR. Census region, administrator's experience, administrator's educational attainment, and accreditation by independent accreditation organizations also have significant effects. Conclusion: The adoption of EIS for drug dispensing and medication administration in nursing homes is associated with multiple factors. More research is needed to explore and examine the effects of additional factors that facilitate or inhibit the use of EIS for clinical care support in nursing homes.