Archive for: October, 2009
CMS releases final MDS 3.0
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the much anticipated final MDS 3.0 on October 29, giving long-term care providers approximately one year to prepare for implementation of this new assessment tool.
In addition to the various item subsets for each MDS 3.0 assessment and tracking document, CMS released the following files:
- MDS 3.0 Item Matrix (V1.00) – This document identifies the items required for each type of assessment along with how the item is used
- MDS 3.0 RAI Manual – The publishing of the RAI manual has been delayed. It is anticipated that chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 will be published in November. Chapter 4 (Care Area Assessments (CAAs)) & Appendix C (CAA resources) will be posted in December. When published 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, SNF and Swing Bed Prospective Payment System (PPS) policy for the MDS 3.0, and the RUG-IV classification system.
The zip file labeled “Data Technical Files V1.00 October 2009″ on the CMS Web site contains all of the following MDS 3.0 technical specification information:
- MDS 3.0 Data Submission Specifications (V1.00) – Detailed data submission specifications for MDS 3.0.
- RUG-IV SAS Package (V.100) – Thoroughly tested SAS code for RUG-IV classification with documentation and test data.
- RUG-III MDS 3.0 Mapping Specifications (V1.00) – This document presents logic that can be used to produce RUG-III classifications using assessment items contained on MDS 3.0.
- MDS 3.0 CATs Specifications (V1.00) – For each Care Area, 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.
Stay tuned for additional analysis.
To view the final MDS 3.0, visit our Resources page.
For additional files, visit the CMS Web site.
Recognizing viruses in long-term care facilities
Illnesses are common in healthcare settings. Long-term care facilities are no different. The following list offers details about viruses that are often found in facilities:
- Hepatitis A: This form of hepatitis is frequently transferred by food. However, it can also be spread by an infected person passing on body fluids that are infected with this agent or through improper hand washing techniques and passing on fecal contaminants.
- Hepatitis B: A very serious form of hepatitis that is often spread by an infected person through his or her body fluids. Healthcare workers should be immunized for hepatitis B so that they have a level of antibody protection.
- Hepatitis C: Possibly the most insidious form of hepatitis, hepatitis C ravages the liver and is the number one reason for deaths attributed to liver disease. Currently, there is no immunization to protect against this virus.
- Norovirus: In recent years, this virus has become prevalent throughout the United States. In addition, it has been making its way into many long-term care environments. It is highly contagious; therefore, hand washing is extremely important to help control the spread of this virus. Norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and headaches. Dehydration is often a major secondary factor that has to be closely monitored for those who acquire this viral agent.
- Varicella virus: The same virus responsible for chickenpox can also lead to shingles or herpes zoster. The virus often remains dormant along major nerve areas and then erupts with painful, fluid-filled blisters. Those who are not immune to chickenpox can get shingles.
This is an excerpt from HCPro’s book, The Long-Term Care Administrator’s Field Guide, by Brian Garavaglia, PhD.
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