The MDS Expert Blog
Read the most recent blogs from our experts at MDS Solutions.
CMS clarifies ADL scoring process
After months of deliberation and confusion surrounding coding for activities of daily living (ADLs), CMS posted clarifying instructions in the RAI User’s Manual, version 1.11,1 which became effective October 1, 2013. While the instructions are clear, the results may be different from what coders might have previously expected. Most notable is the emphasis on coders’…
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Success without silos
While this autumn won’t bring nearly as many MDS changes as last year, documentation and coding due-diligence remains crucial. And despite coordinators’ knowledge and leadership role in the MDS process, they shouldn’t be shouldering the responsibility alone, experts say. “Any discipline that contributes to the MDS should understand the ‘tell me more’ about the MDS…
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Another way to capture ADLs
The conventional wisdom for improving Activities for Daily Living is to educate and re-educate and then educate again. This is important, but I look at ADL capture as a process that requires audits and examining systems. Every process has gaps that can be narrowed or even closed. Usually 80% of ADL capturing problems are caused…
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ADL coding: The importance of being accurate
Section G is one of the most inaccurately coded sections of the MDS 3.0. This is primarily due to the inaccuracy of the supporting documentation for Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The definitions for resident self-performance coding and staff-support coding take time to understand and master. A clear understanding of the components for each of…
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Functional Improvement Among Short-Stay Nursing Home Residents in the MDS 3.0
CONCLUSIONS: The discharge assessment data in the MDS 3.0 provide new information to researchers and providers to examine and track ADL performance. Nursing homes can identify and track patients who require more intensive therapies or targeted interventions to achieve functional improvement during their stay. Future research can examine facility-level measures to better understand how ADL…
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ADL Assessment Reliable, Valid; Providers Show Marked Improvements For Residents, Study Finds
Admission and discharge assessments on mandatory reporting forms will help regulators, researchers, and providers get a handle on how well rehabilitation efforts are working for millions of Medicare residents, a new study claims. In October 2010, regulators began requiring care providers to record activities of daily living (ADL) assessments in the new Minimum Data Set…
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One section at a time
When it comes to the Minimum Data Set, accuracy can be the defining factor in whether a facility keeps its doors open, thrives or ends up facing federal indictment. Whether providers are looking to ensure they can afford to provide the proper care their residents need or to maintain a five-star quality rating, the information…
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Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual
Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual Download Version 1.14 of the RAI User’s Manual at https://downloads.cms.gov/files/MDS-30-RAI-Manual-V114-October-2016.pdf Published October 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Chapter 2: Assessments for the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Chapter 3: Overview to the Item-by-Item Guide to the MDS 3.0 Chapter 4: Care Area…
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Determining Nurse Aide Staffing Requirements
CONCLUSIONS: The average nurse aide staffing levels reported by NHs falls below the level of staffing predicted as necessary to provide consistent ADL care to all residents in need. DES methodology can be used to determine nurse aide staffing requirements to provide ADL care and simulate management interventions to improve care efficiency and quality. ABSTRACT:…
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How Much Staff Do I Need for MDS?
We all know that a lot of time, energy and effort go into completing an MDS. But how many hours should you really be spending? Factors to Consider in Calculating MDS Staffing Time What is your average LTC census per year? What is your average Rehab Census per year? What is your average LOS…
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