The MDS is a comprehensive assessment covering cognitive status, mobility, continence, nutrition, skin condition, mood, and care needs. It is completed on admission, quarterly, annually, and upon significant change in condition.
MDS data drives care planning, quality measures, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
Alternative Names:
MDS, Resident Assessment Instrument
Why it Matters?
The MDS is a defense-friendly document when completed accurately, because it establishes what the facility knew about a resident's risks and shows the assessment cycle functioning. It becomes damaging in two situations: when it identifies a risk that the care plan never addressed, and when it is inconsistent with the clinical record, which supports an argument that assessments were completed for reimbursement rather than care. Because MDS data also drives payment, coding inconsistencies invite a separate line of attack.
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Frequently asked questions
How often is the MDS completed?
Why does MDS accuracy matter in litigation?
