Anyone using Care Tracker and will it change with 3.0?

Rexie68 · Jul 30, 2008

we use caretracker, and it has definitely helped adl coding. since the staff can't see what the person charted before them, they can't just fill in the blanks by rote...they have to answer the questions independently. it isn't foolproof, of course, but seems to be a godsend. i'm sure the company has something in the works for 3.0. glad you enjoy the posts....we're an entirely different breed of nurses! :clown:

mdsmadness · Jul 30, 2008

Just curious about, what if someone codes a resident totally wrong? Because you and I both know that you can have someone that you know is totally dependent and then someone comes along and codes minimal assist or something silly...is it locked in stone with the Care Tracker, or what do you do?

Rexie68 · Jul 30, 2008

You (or whoever your facility chooses should have access to that function) can edit entries...you just have to put in the reason you're editing it. I only do that when it's a very obvious error, such as a double amputee ambulating, or the alert rehab resident who's supervision in all adls being listed as a 2 person assist for feeding! In fact, that leads to another word to the wise....if you have an MDS program that lets you import from Caretracker, be careful to review it. I got nailed by DOH for marking someone as a two person assist for feeding, when it was an obvious error...darned import key....but it's my fault for not reviewing what was entered. Lesson learned!

mdsmadness · Jul 30, 2008

Ok, thanks! Just wanted to know if that was an option, because this week I had someone code 0/2 and 1/3 on ADL's ! And SO many holes!!! OMG!! I have inserviced until I am blue in the face and they just want to get out of there! They don't get it. I went to a mock survey today for a sister facility and they have the same issues about improper coding and the "copy cat" thing going on but no holes...and I am asking, how do you get everyone to document?? She says she drives a hard line (and she is not a mean person), but starts at the initial inservice and states that "You will document every shift before you leave!" I am to the point of being a hard nose and doing that and adding, "If you don't you will get wrote up". It is not the avenue that I wanted to take but I am thinking this may be what it takes....because in the end, it all falls back on me." I really do not think our corp office will pay for Care Tracker but I know the ED has worked in a facility where they had it and he is open to it, BUT.........it really isn't up to him. Just so tired of :banghead: , know what I mean! lol Just trying to f ind out what other facilities do.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Jul 30, 2008

We use Care Tracker at my facility and have had it for almost 10 months. It was hard at first but most everyone seems to like it. I like the reports that are available from the "No BM in 3 days" report to the Who hasn't eaten 50% of their meals report. We are at about 98.5 % compliance every day and it doesn't take long to correct mistakes. We've had a few surveyors ask for ADL info and they all seem to like it. I'm sure it'll be updated for 3.0.

disney158 · Aug 11, 2008

We have had Care Tracker for over 2 years and it is a life saver, I am sure the company will keep up with any changes to the MDS including conversion to 3.0

edhcinc · Aug 12, 2008

It is sometimes difficult to be sure that professionals document, also! (except for the usual--treatments done, no SOB, no s/s hypoglycemia, blah, blah, blah...):omy:

With Caretracker and with other CNA documentation systems, two things have worked for me in the past--

Note, and REWARD, :yeah:when DOCUMENTATION IS DONE, not just when it IS NOT. If you are on one unit, give a prize, or even just a LOUD, PLAIN, SINCERE THANK YOU to acknowledge a A JOB "WELL-DONE"--if someone meets 95% (or some target) of the required documentation. If you work with several units, make a contest out of it...with, again, some type of meaningful reward. Keep rewarding...pretty soon some or many CNA's will want to HELP you monitor completion, and will remind others who do not meet the new "norm"...And you can move onto another improvement effort...
Let the CNA's know how their consistent and accurate observations are VALUABLE:icon_hug:--they show the patient's abilities and problems--information which can truly make a difference in the patient's continued care and progress. Share with them the reports which SHOW their documentation, and how the nurses, dietitian, physician actually USE them to add or change medication, diet, therapy, etc.

Somehow, the focus of caretracker (and other similar point-of-care CNA documentation systems) always turns to REIMBURSEMENT. Some companies have found that reimbursement actually GOES DOWN, before it levels off, then improves.

Open communication with the CNA's about ANY findings, especially those involving "catching" patient care issues before they become "problems" provides positive feedback for the completion of a boring task...research shows that this type of feedback increases job satisfaction and reduces staff turnover...

And we can't get too "set" with our complicated 0/1, 2/3, 4/4 ADL's...MDS 3.0 will be much easier--I'll bet it will make sense to the CNA's, too!

cmsnurse49 · Aug 26, 2008

Care tracker is a GREAT tool IF - used properly... It takes a lot of training and effort :deadhorseon the part of nursing admin to get the ACCURATE information from the staff. But the Care Tracker can be modified to be accessed by all - Dietary, Social Servc, Social Woker (mood and behavior), and best of all the Restorative CNAs :yeah: - We all here in Texas (most) use this info as supportive documentation so if it is not accurate you as the accessor will have do your own documentation-a nurse note, typed note put in clinical records, or a summary type assessment done each time you do an MDS, this being the best in my opinion. Any way :anbd: the Care Tracker can be a great asset if the correct information is input!!!

meghan61 · Dec 3, 2009

We have used Caretracker for the last 7 years. It is a great tool but we still have issues with incorrect coding levels especially for ADL's. As far as the reports that can be generated it is wonderful. But there is alway an error variance with ADL coding and the CNA's need ongoing education.