MDS 3.0 & RAP---new CMS guideline on printing MDS's

Thank you for responding so quickly. I am new to this site and for some odd reason finding myself praying that someone else reads this and tells me I am not entirely mistaken....

CMS Reference S&C-09-22
Cover page...

5th bullet, "Deleted guidance requiring paper copy storage of Minimum Data Set (MDS) in nursing homes with electronic records at Tag F286, 483.20(d), Use; and"

Then ...page 4 says...
R Appendix PP, TagF286, Use - deleted a sentence requiring storage of paper copies of assessments in facilities with electronic records"

Then I read it one more time on page 95 "Deletion of sentence at F286 (MDS Use) requiring storage of paper copy of MDS for homes using all electronic records. This is no longer required for these homes.
Instructor's notes:
The following sentence is being deleted: "Whether or not the facility's clinical record system is entirely electronic, a hard copy of all MDS forms, including the signatures of the facility staff attesting to the accuracy and completion of the records, must be maintained in the resident's clinical record."
Maintaining 15 months of MDS data is still required. This deletion simply removes the "hard copy" language for homes using electronic records. The MDS records must still be accessible to clinical staff, the State, and CMS, as stated by current language that remains at this Tag."

Someone please tell me that I am reading this correctly....pah pah pah pleeaaasseeee!!

This is actually what led me to your site. I wanted someone besides me to say, "Yep, that is exactly what it means"...

soo...even transmittal 41 released on 04/10/2009 gives us the option to store the records in the manner the facility chooses and NOT be required to maintain "hard copies" on the charts....

Correct?

Oh my....I could kiss you...that is exactly as I was hoping it was interpreted...we have networked computers all over this facility...with access to the eChart at each station. And...it contains well more than 15 months worth of MDS information...it has all of them in it without regard to date...

YOU are mahvelous...

Thanks so very much....I have recommended your site to our DON and ADON as well...we really did not know you guys even existed. Nice to see a site for nurses by nurses!!

Thank you both so very much. It's always nice when CMS offers a tiny bit to make our lives easier. I am heading to the Medicare BootCampin Atlanta Georgia tomorrow for four days put on by HCPro...will take great notes and share if anything sticks out in my mind when I return. Sometimes it's stuff we should already know, others it is really good information.

Again, thank you both so much!! I am certainly glad to have found this website.

Just returned from HCPro's Medicare Bootcamp for Long Term Care in Atlanta. Dissapointingly, yes, the MDS 3.0 will contain a "RAPS" section which will be referred to as the "CATS" now. Can't remember exactly what he said it will stand for, but it will basically be the same thing. I believe my resources at my software vendor, American HealthTech, have stated that electronic signatures will be a required portion of the new MDS 3.0. This information I would verify if my facility was not capable of electronic signatures, however, if it is indeed a requirement then my facility and the software we are using must be modified to permit us to do such a thing. Once accomplished, we will no longer be required to print hard copy MDS for any resident chart.

I highly recommend this 4 day seminar on Medicare. It was extremely helpful. So much valuable information I could not even begin to put it all on one post. ALL MDS and Billers need to attend this training. It could literally make thousands of dollars difference in the way you approach your medicare.