Prioritizing MDS work ???

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New MDS Coordinator. Taking over the position with MDS's that were already behind since April. More specific there are 16 ICF that were to be completed since April. I was originally told that SNF always takes priority, but the ICF coordinator is of course, saying that is "not" true. She said that basically, I only have to worry about SNF when its time for "billing". I need to know if there is a good way to "catch" up work that was already behind and in the future....how to decide when to work on SNF vs. ICF MDS's.

Also, if anyone has tips on how to complete MDS's more quickly....I would GREATLY appreciate it !!!...Thanks in advance for your help!.....I am finding that I like the job and really want to stick with it and even learn all that I can....but need some insight and wisdom!!! :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Care Coordination, MDS, med-surg, Peds.

Personally, I do the medicare ones first, then the others, just so that I can keep up with the PPS schedule. You are so far behind, that I think I would do them like that...med a first, for billing, then the others. I keep a calendar on my desk and try to do them as they are due as quickly as possible.

Hope this helps....

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Thanks for the response. I created myself a calendar with all of the due dates for the MDS's as they come in...However, since I started the job with a backlog already it was difficult to ever get ahead and on task....Finally, two other people from the facility helped to complete the backlogged ones, and now I am into the week of 5/2/10 and almost caught up, so that I can start on the current week. It will be interesting to see if once I am caught up...whether or not I can actually complete all the ones I have due for each week...Thanks again...and if you have any other tips on gaining "SPEED" when completing them...please share....I noticed that the other people were going through them a lot faster than myself....LOL...thanks again!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

My suggestion is to do alp the pas assessments first, or any that will have a negative financial impact of they are late. I have found the best way to speed through several assessments is to make yourself a worksheet where you list your ard,.window of observation, a place for meds, wounds, etc.

Then place all the sheets In a stack in ascending order of room number so you can go through the mar, tar, adls, and such all at once to save time. Next visit the residents one at a time and then interview the staff.

Grouping tasks together like this can really speed things up. Just make sure to take good notes and if you do all of the above, it should should increase your productivity significantly. Good luck!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Sorry. I meant all the PPS assessments. My phone has auto spell check so it changed what I wrote. Lol.

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