New Mds 3.0 Drafted

Published Apr 4, 2003

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Specializes in ER CCU MICU SICU LTC/SNF.

SNFinfo Connection News Flash
April 3, 2003
______________________________
TODAY'S NEWS
CMS PUBLISHES DRAFT OF THE MDS VERSION 3.0 TODAY
The draft version of the MDS 3.0 has finally hit the streets-- and it's turning the heads of nursing home staff everywhere. SNF employees who work with the resident assessment tool will discover changes in every nook and cranny of the instrument. Another surprise is that they could be using the MDS 3.0 as soon as the end of 2004.
CMS wanted the new instrument to contain clearer questions, fewer items, more clinical relevance, and instructions that were better integrated into the MDS, according to Bob Connolly, MSW, a co-leader of the MDS 3.0 team at CMS, who spoke at the National Case Mix Conference in Baltimore last month. CMS also wanted to ease provider burden with the latest MDS by building in skip patterns and drop-down menus, consolidating tracking forms, and eliminating some items from the MDS Version 2.0 that it considered unnecessary or redundant. Providers will see the most drastic changes in the areas of identification information, cognitive function, behavior, mood, physical functional, pain, skin condition, and the resident assessment protocols.
Now that the updated tool has been drafted, CMS is handing it over to contractors to test in SNFs across the nation. Go to
http://www.snfinfo.com/ppsrc/#MDS to see the draft MDS Version 3.0.

... just in case your facility is in the market to purchase or upgrade an MDS and Care Planning software. This new MDS looks comprehensive but more functional and easier to understand. Drawing attention - the ADL Functional has new codes -- 5, 6, and 7 (integrating Self-performance and Support). Very interesting! Well, well... gotta go start familiarizing soon. :zzzzz