Optimizing Ethical Care, Quality, and Safety in Long-Term Services and Supports: A Position Paper from the American College of Physicians

Long-term services and supports (LTSS) in the United States have faced substantial and enduring challenges. They encompass services for persons who can no longer independently care for themselves because of cognitive decline, functional limitations, chronic illness, or the sequelae of such conditions. These services are delivered in institutional and noninstitutional settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home- and community-based programs. This position paper by the American College of Physicians examines the ethical implications of current LTSS business models and practices and their effect on vulnerable persons receiving care in these settings. These models and practices include approaches to staffing, resource allocation, health equity, and attention to patient preferences and patient-centered care, as well as business strategies that focus on profit rather than patient care and ownership structures that can lack transparency and hinder accountability. Addressing these challenges necessitates a collaborative approach among policymakers, health care systems, researchers, physicians and other health care professionals, LTSS facility and agency owners, patients, and caregivers. By embracing shared goals through a collaborative approach, an LTSS system can be cultivated that optimizes ethical care, quality, and safety, ensuring respect for all individuals across their lifespan.