This article proposes an adaptation of the Donabedian structure-process-outcome theory as a framework for designing and more effectively using the administrative data collected in the licensing and regulation of residential care/assisted living facilities. Such information can meet the needs of various stakeholders including providers, state regulatory agencies, consumers and researchers in the evaluation of quality of care. Structural components are represented by facility, staff and resident characteristics. Process components include the types of services available and safety and injury prevention. Possible outcome measures include deficiencies and complaints, changes of resident health status and quality indicators, and discharge and medical event data. Emphasis is on measures available in administrative records, but other measures can be incorporated. A quality of care framework may be an incentive for the development and maintenance of complete and accurate state administrative records (abstract from p. 59 of article).