Correcting MDS Completion Dates/RN Assessment Signatures on Z0500

[dorothyoz]

i'd like to have comment on the actions required related to the following scenarios. thanks!!

scenario #1

mds software auto populates the z0500 date on an mds assessment prior to printing. the team signs at z0400 according to dates the sections were completed. the rn does not sign on the auto populated date, but rather on a later date. the rn manually corrects the printed copy for the date of the day signed. the computer software will not allow the rn to correct the computer generated date. transmission of computer generated date would not match actual z0500 signature date. the assessment has not yet been transmitted.

please address the steps needed when actual signature dates does not match auto populated date at z0500 for assessment not transmitted.

scenario #2

mds software auto populates the z0500 date on an mds assessment prior to printing. there may or may not be completion of z0400 signatures; however z0500 was not signed by an rn. the assessment was transmitted with the auto populated date at z0500.

please address the steps needed when assessments are transmitted prior to rn signature at z0500 and/or without complete z0400 signatures

[andy3k]

Scenario #2

Once the MDS is actually completed, modify the submitted MDS, complete Section X, update the MDS with correct information, and submit the correction.

Z0500B

If your software does not allow you to submit the true date of completion then request a fix from the software vendor (there may already be a fix) or, if they will not fix it, demand your money back and buy another software. You can be tagged during survey for having electronic data that does not match clinical documentation. Even worse, it can be considered fraud if you are gaining financially from incorrect information submitted to CMS.

[Talino]

Z0400 signatures are on the printed items sets but are not in the data specs and are not submitted to CMS in the submission record; so is the signature in Z0500A. That's why the record wasn't rejected even w/ missing signatures. Therefore, there is no need to make a correction. Just print out a hardcopy and manually sign Z0400 & Z0500. Make a notation of the omission and keep on file.

Yes, the vendor can remove the auto populate feature. Albeit they won't just take the software back w/o penalizing you for reneging on the contract.

[andy3k]

I agree with the part about the signatures but a modification is still necessary if the Z0500B in the electronic record does not match the paper record. For example, if the Z0500B was automatically set to 5/25 by the software but the nurse did not actually complete the MDS and sign until 5/26, she can't just correct the paperwork to 5/25, she has to modify the electronic MDS so that it says 5/26 to match the actual completion date.