What Is an MDS Assessment?

An MDS assessment is a clinical assessment regulated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This assessment is required for long-term care nursing facilities who receive Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

Identification

• MDS is an abbreviation for minimum data set, which is the system used to document the assessment.

Function

• An MDS assessment identifies each resident's functional capabilities and health problems to assist in providing appropriate care.

Process

• This clincial assessment involves resident assessment protocols (RAPs), which helps to develop a care plan and a Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI), which identifies a resident's strength and health needs for the long-term care staff.

Information Collected

• The information collected measures physical, psychological, and social functioning characteristics of each resident.

Requirements

• All residents in certified long-term care facilities are assessed at admission and the assessment must be completed by the 14th day of the resident's stay. Three quarterly reviews and one full assessment are required within a 12-month period on an ongoing basis.