MDS 3.0 Implementation Strategies (Don's Corner‪)‬

Significant changes in assessment philosophy that reflect current clinical practice standards and a focus on resident-directed care are at the core of the next generation Minimum Data Set, the MDS 3.0. Implementation is scheduled for October 2009, but plenty of preparation will be needed leading up to that date. Changes in key operational and clinical systems and processes will help to pave the way to successful implementation--and to improvements in quality of care and quality of life for residents. How a facility implements the MDS 3.0 will affect all of the critical aspects of nursing home operations: It will determine how accurate the resulting care plans and the data the surveyors see will be, how representative of the quality of care in the facility the Quality Indicators and Quality Measures will be, and whether Part A reimbursement will be consistent with the intensity of care the facility provides.