A regional assessment of information technology sophistication in Missouri nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE To provide a state profile of information technology (IT) sophistication in Missouri nursing homes. METHOD Primary survey data were collected from December 2006 to August 2007. A descriptive, exploratory cross-sectional design was used to investigate dimensions of IT sophistication (technological, functional, and integration) related to resident care, clinical support, and administrative processes. Each dimension was used to describe the clinical domains and demographics (ownership, regional location, and bed size). RESULTS The final sample included 185 nursing homes. A wide range of IT sophistication is being used in administrative and resident care management processes, but very little in clinical support activities. CONCLUSION Evidence suggests nursing homes in Missouri are expanding use of IT beyond traditional administrative and billing applications to patient care and clinical applications. This trend is important to provide support for capabilities which have been implemented to achieve national initiatives for meaningful use of IT in health care settings.