Analysis methods
We combined the results of the three datasets: Survey of
Institutions and Establishments for Long-term Care in
2011 (dataset 1), Information Publication System for
Long-term Care in 2012 (dataset 2), and FAX survey in
2014 (dataset 3).
Next, we performed a cluster analysis using dataset 1
to identify similarities between agencies regarding their
Ethical consideration
This study was performed after obtaining approval from
the ethical committee of the national association of homevisit
nursing care (approval No: 20141). We requested the
agencies to return the questionnaire after explaining the
study objectives and details in the fax letter to request participation
in the study, and that the return of the questionnaire
would be considered as their agreement for
participation in the study as for Fax survey.