Effectiveness of mailing "Bathing Without a Battle" to all US nursing homes.

An educational CD-ROM/video program was developed to educate nursing home staff about two research-based techniques for reducing agitation and aggression during bathing of persons with Alzheimer's disease, including person-centered showering and the towel bath. This educational program was distributed free of charge to all 15,453 US nursing homes in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services database. The dissemination, use, and short-term outcomes were evaluated by extrapolating data collected by long-term care surveyors in three states; usage was further assessed by tracking the number of nursing home staff who registered for the continuing education credits associated with the program. The program's quality and content was evaluated by actual program users, who rated the program after completion. Short-term learning outcomes were assessed by examinations built into the CD-ROM. Evaluating a national innovation presented a set of unique challenges; yet, to date, our findings have revealed mostly favorable short-term outcomes in terms of its dissemination, usage, and educational value. The long-term outcomes of this educational program continue to be monitored.