Clinical indicators to assess the quality of social work services in nursing homes.

Nursing home social work service providers (n = 209) evaluated a proposed set of clinical indicators developed by an NASW Work Group to use in measuring social work performance in that setting. Practitioners rated all of the indicators highly for clarity, relevance, and meaningfulness to service provision. Problems with feasibility of use were identified for two of the indicators. Perceived difficulties in implementation are identified and addressed. A rationale is presented for the utility for nursing home practice of a uniform, professionally validated set of performance indicators as a component of quality improvement efforts.