PBJ Research and Studies

No!

We recommend all readers fully understand each study's research methodology before applying its findings more broadly or comparing studies to each other. 

Some studies may examine different sets of nursing homes, or may include or exclude certain data differently. Other analysis differences may include:

• Studies may take different approaches on how data is included vs. excluded
• Data may be aggregated, grouped or summarized differently
• Methodologies used to calculate staff tenure or turnover are not all the same
• Submission errors by nursing homes may sometimes be interpreted as accurate when it should have been excluded.  CMS provides no means for facilities to go back and correct erroneous data once the submission deadline is passed.
• CMS audits help facilities uncover errors which only get fixed in upcoming submissions, not retroactively

No!

Included in our archives are different types of PBJ data analysis.  Some are more rigorous than others, and readers are cautioned to understand the source of the research before drawing conclusions.  Our study sources include:

Academic research: 

• Peer-reviewed journal research (JAMA, Health Affairs, JAMDA, etc.)
• Purpose is to advance scientific knowledge
• Most rigorous
• Analyze funding sources for possible bias

Advocate analyses:

• Reports from policy groups, think tanks, trade groups, or advocacy organizations (KFF, OIG, AHCA, MedPAC, etc.)
• Purpose is to influence policy or industry understanding
• Moderately to highly rigorous, but can vary widely
• Moderate bias risk due to mission-driven framing

New media studies: 

• Journalism summarizing research (McKnight’s, Skilled Nursing News, KFF Health News, NY Times, etc.)
• Purpose is to explain findings to industry/public
• Less rigorous, but can vary widely 
• Framing bias is possible

Take a course in the PBJ Academy for a better understanding of PBJ data and its uses.

Browse our PBJ Research Studies archive to view find relevant or interesting analysis of PBJ staffing.