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MDS 3.0 NEWS FOR ACTIVITY AND RECREATION PROFESSIONALS

MDS 3.0 implementation date is scheduled for October 1, 2010

July 15, 2010

The MDS 3.0 downloads and training materials can be found on the CMS website. To view and download these files, CLICK HERE. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the DOWNLOAD section.

Here's a free newsletter you can receive regarding the MDS 3.0. Plus their website is very helpful too.http://www.hcmarketplace.com/prod-6935-E MDSCB/MDS-30-Update.html

Read the Article: February 8, 2010

A Closer Look at the MDS 3.0: News and Overview for Activity and Recreation Professionals

By Kimberly Grandal, CTRS, ACC/EDU

MDS 3.0 RAI User Manual and Webcast News

January 20, 2010

The MDS 3.0 RAI user manual is now available for download at

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NursingHomeQualityInits/25_NHQIMDS30.asp. Follow the link, scroll down the page and click on MDS 3.0 RAI Manual Jan 2010 to download the entire manual. The section for Customary Routine and Activities is called section F and is located in the Chapter 3 file folder. The section which refers to Recreation Therapy can be found in section 0, Special Treatments and Procedures.

CMS provided a webcast, entitled, MDS 3.0: Part 1- An Introduction, on December 17, 2009. You can view this archived webcast for free at http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/pubs/VideoInformation.aspx?cid=1074

This webcast was the first of a three part series focused on providing information about the MDS 3.0. The other webcasts in the series include:

              2nd Part: Coding the MDS 3.0 (late spring/early summer, 2010)

              3rd Part: CMS Programs impacted by the MDS 3.0 (summer, 2010)

New MDS 3.0 Files and Downloads

November 2, 2009

CMS recently added new MDS 3.0 files and downloads on their website. The following items were added in late October, 2009:

• MDS 3.0 Item Subsets  – A file that contains the various subsets of the  MDS 3.0 assessment and tracking document such as admission, quarterly, annual, significant change, discharge, etc.
• MDS 3.0 Item Matrix  - This document identifies the items required for each type of assessment along with how the item is used (e.g. QMs, QIs, CATs, RUG-IV, or RUG-III).
• MDS 3.0 Data Submission Specifications - Detailed data submission specifications for MDS 3.0.
• MDS 3.0 CATs Specifications - This document provides Care Area Trigger (CAT) specifications for the MDS 3.0 items used in triggering the Care Area, the conditions for triggering, and Visual Basic code for triggering. The CATs are replacing the MDS 2.0 Resident Assessment Protocols RAPs. Psychosocial well-being and activities still have areas that will trigger.

If you are eagerly awaiting the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual as I am, chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 are expected to be published in November. Chapter 4 (Care Area Assessments (CAAs) & Appendix C (CAA resources) should be posted in December. The manual will include: Description and instructions for types of assessments and tracking documents, each MDS 3.0 item, the Care Area Assessment, submission and correction of MDS 3.0 records, Skilled Nursing Facility and Swing Bed Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) policy for the MDS 3.0, and the RUG-IV classification system.

CMS highly recommends that everyone should hold back from training until after the "Train-the-Trainer" sessions have been completed. The Train-The Trainer sessions are scheduled for the spring of 2010.

Download all of the MDS 3.0 forms and information at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NursingHomeQualityInits/25_NHQIMDS30.asp

MDS 3.0 implementation date is scheduled for October 1, 2010

Questions regarding the data specifications should be directed to MDS30Comments@cms.hhs.gov.

MDS 3.0 is Postponed!

March 6, 2009

On Thursday, March 5, 2009 CMS officials announced that they have postponed the implementation of the MDS 3.0. The new start date is October, 2010 which is one year later than originally planned. To review MDS drafts, timelines, crosswalks and more click here. Activity Professionals really should review the MDS 3.0 draft and send your comments to CMS!

Overview of the MDS 3.0

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held an Open Door Forum (ODF) regarding the Minimum Data Set, Version 3.0 (MDS 3.0) in Baltimore, Maryland on January 24, 2008 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm EST and reported on the findings of a 5-year CMS Nursing Home MDS 3.0 Validation Study.

There are many advantages to the MDS 3.0 such as:

• Increased  resident’s voice
• Increased clinical relevance for assessment
• Increased accuracy, both validity and reliability
• Increased clarity and efficiency
• 45% reduction in the average time for completion
• Supports the movement of items toward future electronic formats

A section with significant revisions is the “Customary Routine and Activity Section”. The customary routine staff assessment is replaced by the MDS 3.0 Preference Assessment Tool. Residents are to be interviewed for their activity interests and routine preferences. The residents are to rate the level of importance by using the following codes:

1. Very important

2. Somewhat important

3. Not very important

4. Not important at all

5. Important, but can’t do or no choice

9. No response or non-responsive

Some of the questions to ask the residents include:

• How important is it to you to have books, newspapers, and magazines to read?
• How important is it to you to listen to music you like?
• How important is it to you to be around animals such as pets?
• How important is it to you to keep up with the news?
• How important is it to you to do things with groups of people?
• How important is it to you to do your favorite activities?
• How important is it to you to do things away from the nursing home?
• How important is it to you to go outside to get fresh air when the weather is good?
• How important is it to you to participate in religious services or practices?
• If your doctor approves, would you like to be offered alcohol on occasion at meals or social events?
  • No
  • Yes
  • 5 Yes, but can’t or no choice
  • 9 No response or non-responsive answer

For residents who cannot answer the questions, a staff assessment of activities and daily preferences is available. Staff is also instructed to observe the resident’s response during activity programs.  A variety of routine and activity preferences are listed and staff is to check off each item as it applies. Some of the recreational items include:

• Reading books, newspapers, or magazines
• Listening to music
• Being around animals such as pets
• Keeping up with the news
• Doing things with groups of people
• Participating in favorite activities
• Spending time away from the nursing home
• Spending time outdoors
• Participating in religious activities or practices
• None of the above

In a sample of individuals that completed the revised Customary Routine and Activity Section, findings indicated that:

• 81% rated the interview items as more useful for care planning
• 80% found that the interview changed their impression of resident’s wants
• 1% felt that some residents who responded didn’t really understand the items
• More likely to report that post-acute residents appreciated being asked

Another section of special interest to Activity Professionals and Recreation Therapists is that of “Special Treatments and Therapies”. Recreational Therapy is included as a therapeutic service, beyond the general activity program, as it is currently in the MDS 2.0. Under the section of Recreation Therapy, however, it is indicated that Music Therapy is included as well. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/nursinghomequalityinits/25_nhqimds30.asp.