Investigation of the Structural Standards of Nursing Homes in Ardabil Province, in 2021

Background & aim: In recent years, with the increase in the elderly population, the trend of transferring the elderly to nursing homes has been increased. Therefore, the existence of standard centers according to international standards for maintenance and care of this vulnerable group has become very important. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of structural standards of nursing homes in Ardabil. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Four nursing homes in Ardabil were selected by census method and included in the study. To check the status of structural standards, a checklist consisting of three dimensions of manpower standards, physical space and tools and equipment was used. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS software version 22. Results: According to the results, the studied nursing homes met the standards by 71.61% and obtained the average score of 580 out of a total score of 810. The highest score obtained in the manpower dimension was related to the division of labor and manpower with a score of 96.36%, in the physical space dimension was related to the four subdivisions of doors, parking lots and corridors, kitchen and dining room, nursing station, and treatment room and storage of special tools with a score of 100% and in terms of supplies and equipment was related to medical tools and equipment with a score of 97.5%. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the structural condition of nursing homes in Ardabil Province is lower than international standards. Therefore, it is suggested that health and welfare officials and nursing homes take the necessary measures to upgrade the necessary standards to the level of international standards.