Hi--am not sure whether my response will be too much, or too little, information.
1.This is the primary MDS 2.0 webpage.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/nursinghomequ..._NHQIMDS20.asp
There are links to the data specs/file layout. Also to the QTSO page which contains links to how the current QM/QI are calculated from MDS data submitted to each state's database, then on to CMS.
2.This is the Quality Indicator/Resident Reports site on which CMS posts many types of reports/analyses/comparisons using MDS data.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MDSPubQIandRe...1_Overview.asp
3.This is the site where CMS reports Quality Measures from MDS data.
http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare
4. The MDS 2.0 data is combined for submission as a "flat" ASCII file. Therefore, "raw" MDS data can be analyzed in many ways.
5. The MDS/RAI manual also has information/explanations about which MDS items are used for the QI/QM and PPS reimbursement using the RUGS system.
If you would like more information, please send a private note.
Good luck!