Kathleen Dalton, PhD

Contact information for this researcher is no longer available, but you can still access their previous work.

Completed Projects - (4)
Publications - (14)

Completed Projects - (4)

Factors Contributing to Unit Cost Instability in the Low-Volume Hospital
Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS)
Labor Costs and the Area Wage Index in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Long-term care, Workforce
Rural Hospital Wages and the Prospective Payment System Wage Index: 1990-1997
Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Medicare, Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS), Workforce
Trends in Swing Bed and Skilled Nursing Facility Use in Rural Hospitals, 1996-2003
This study will examine trends in the distribution of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services in rural hospitals during a period of dramatic change in Medicare reimbursement, most notably the transition from cost-based reimbursement to SNF prospective payment system (PPS).
Research center: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Topics: Aging, Hospitals and clinics, Long-term care, Medicare Prospective Payment System (PPS)

Publications - (14)

2006

Trends Over Time in the Provision of Skilled Nursing Care in Critical Access Hospitals
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 02/2006
This findings brief examines trends in the delivery of skilled nursing facility services in both hospital-based units and swing beds during a period of dramatic change in Medicare payments for post-acute care, focusing on critical access hospitals.

2005

Trends in Skilled Nursing and Swing-Bed Use in Rural Areas, 1996-2003
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 12/2005
This paper examines trends in the delivery of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services in rural areas during a time of dramatic change in Medicare payments for acute and post-acute care. It focuses on the role of rural hospitals in providing SNF services as they respond to the new reimbursement environment.

2004

Rural-Urban Issues in the Wage Index Adjustment for Prospective Payment in Skilled Nursing Facilities (Brief Report)
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 01/2004
Hourly wage data from Medicare-participating nursing homes were used to examine urban/rural patterns in average hourly nursing home wages and wage variation within the statewide rural labor markets defined by CMS. The data were also used to examine the adequacy of the hospital wage index as an adjuster for skilled nursing facility rates.

2003

Rural-Urban Issues in the Wage Index Adjustment for Prospective Payment in Skilled Nursing Facilities (Full Report)
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 11/2003
Hourly wage data collected were used to examine urban/rural patterns in average hourly nursing home wages and pattern variation within the statewide rural labor markets. The data were also used to examine the adequacy of the hospital wage index as an adjuster for skilled nursing facility rates.
A Primer on Interpreting Hospital Margins
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 07/2003
This document explains the most commonly used measures of hospital profitability and how they are used to inform policy changes.
Background Paper: Rural-Urban Differences in Nursing Home and Skilled Nursing Supply
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 02/2003
This paper examines characteristics of nursing facilities and the supply of certified skilled nursing beds as the new PPS is being phased in, with particular reference to differences between urban and rural settings.
Unpredictable Demand and Low-Volume Hospitals
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 01/2003
This findings brief assesses the degree to which the annual number of patient discharges varies from year to year for low-volume hospitals.
Unstable Demand and Cost per Case in Low-Volume Hospitals
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 01/2003
This findings brief looks at the effects of year-to-year changes in annual inpatient discharges on costs per Medicare discharge.

2001

PPS Inpatient Payment and the Area Wage Index
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 01/2001
This fact sheet discusses how inpatient rates are calculated, the role of the wage index, and issues surrounding the wage index and reimbursement to rural hospitals by Medicare under the Prospective Payment System.
Rural Hospital Wages and the Area Wage Index: 1990-1997
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 01/2001
This findings brief examines whether incremental changes to the hospital wage index have made it more equitable across regions and how these changes have impacted rural hospitals.

2000

Rural Hospital Area Wages and the PPS Wage Index: 1900-1997
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 10/2000
This paper examines the hospital wage index used by the Health Care Financing Administration and its effects on rural hospitals.
Background on the Wage-Related Portion of the Medicare DRG Payments
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 09/2000
This report discusses how to calculate Medicare diagnostic related group (DRG) payments. It includes examples and a diagram of how to calculate a DRG payment.
At-Risk Hospitals: The Role of CAH Status in Mitigating the Effects of New Prospective Payment Systems Under Medicare
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 02/2000
This report examines not-for-profit hospitals that potentially qualify as critical access hospitals and identifies facilities at risk as a result of Medicare's prospective payment systems to non-acute care settings.
Role of CAH Status in Mitigating the Effects of New Prospective Payment Systems Under Medicare
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Date: 01/2000
This findings brief examines rural hospitals that potentially qualify as critical access hospitals and identifies facilities at substantial financial risk as a result of Medicare's expansion of prospective payment systems to non-acute settings.