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Educational Materials

Below are several educational materials developed by the MU MDS and Quality Research Team, the Statewide Planning Committee for Improving MDS Assessment and Use, and the Quality Improvement Program for Missouri. All of these documents are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), therefore you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the documents. You can download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat. We hope you put these materials to good use.


MDS 3.0

MDS 3.0 is scheduled for implementation October 2010. The Statewide Committee is strongly recommending that all MDS Coordinators who have not attended a Statewide Training Program sign up for the class either in July or October of this year. Although the new MDS is coming, the transition between the 2.0 and the 3.0 will be much smoother if the coordinators have a good baseline understanding of the RAI Process and the current MDS.

NEW MDS 3.0 Training (both QIPMO CAA's workshops and statewide Item-by-Item workhops)

NEW MDS 3.0 RAI Manual (January 2010)
NEW MDS 3.0 Item Subsets (V1.00.1) (January 2010)

CMS MDS 3.0 for Nursing Homes
CMS MDS 3.0 Implementation Timeline for October 2010
RAND MDS 3.0 Final Report (April 2008)
RAND MDS 3.0 Final Report Appendices (April 2008)
MDS 3.0 Training Announcement


NEW Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes

Advancing Excellence is a national campaign that encourages, assists, and empowers nursing homes to improve the quality of care and life for residents. Your home will have access to FREE comparative data and evidence-based interventions. You’ll be able to select goals and find helpful tips on how to implement change.

Advancing Excellence flyer


H1N1 Information and Tips

Flu Information: Vaccinations
Influenza Vaccine 2009-10: What You Need to Know
Pneumococcal Vaccine 2009-10: What You Need to Know


MDS Coordinators

The MDS Unit at the DHSS now has a generic e-mail address that providers can use in order to request information or ask questions regarding the RAI/MDS process. The e-mail is rai.mds@dhss.mo.gov. E-mails will be answered by DHSS in a timely manner.

If you are a brand new MDS coordinator or someone who has been working as a coordinator, here are some downloads and links which may be of use in setting your new position:

CASPER Tips for MDS Users
Resources for MO Nursing Homes
RAI Process Fact Sheet
New Personal User ID and Password Information
Guide for New MDS Coordinators
First Steps to Generating/Submitting MDS Data
QIPMO Inservice Education Programs
Important Information - Nursing Homes
Important Information - Swing Beds
Accessing Online and Scheduled Reports

Tool: 2010 Tool for determining the date when the next MDS is due - MDS OBRA Assessment Scheduling Tool
Resources for long-term care (coming soon)
RAI Sample Policy (coming soon)
MDS Coordinator Job Description (coming soon)
MDS Assistant Job Description (coming soon)


RAI Manual

CMS's RAI Manual (revised December 2008)
CMS's RAI Manual Updates (revised December 2008)


CMS Guides and Manuals

NEW Quick Reference List - CMS Websites for Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Providers (December 2009)
Staffing Request Letter (fill out the form on the computer, then print it out on your letterhead, sign it, and mail it to the address listed)
Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Rating System (information and downloadable guides)
Clinical Links Among MDS-Based QM/QI Domains and QM/QIs
Long Term Care Facility User's Guide (scroll to bottom - revised 1/27/2006)
Validation Report Messages and Description (scroll to bottom - revised 1/27/2006)
Dining Assistant Programs in Nursing Homes: Guidelines for Implementation
ICD-9-CM to and from ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - General Equivalence Mappings (March 2009)

Revised Facility Guide for the MDS QI/QM Reports (7/17/2006)


Item-by-Item

MU's MDS Version 2.0 Item by Item Quick Reference and Self Study Guide interprets each item on the MDS by giving a written detailed description along side many of the MDS items.  The Item-by-Item guide also explains the standard coding conventions, timetables for submission, and other valuable information you will need when completing the MDS.  In addition, the PPS supplement illuminates the mysteries of PPS.  The appendix gives you additional resources and contact information.

Item-by-Item (revised August 2006)


Case Study

MU's Case Study is a two-part scenario that takes you through the MDS, RAP documentation, and care plans for a sample nursing home resident.  Part One (revised September 2005) is a resident's initial admission to the nursing home while Part Two (revised March 2007) is a significant change in status that developed after a hospital stay readmission back to the nursing home for a Medicare stay.  The Case Study is a valuable document for anyone learning about long-term care.

Case Study Part I (revised June 2007)
Case Study Part I MDS (revised June 2007)
Case Study Part II (revised March 2007)
Case Study Part II MDS (revised March 2007)


QIPMO MDS Coding Resources

ADL's (January 2007)
ADL Documentation for the CNA (June 2009)
Depression (September 2006)
Pain (October 2006)
Pressure Ulcers (September 2006)
Pressure Ulcer RAP to Care Plan Critical Thinking Tool (March 2008)
Restraints (May 2008)
Restraints RAP Critical Thinking Tool (January 2008)
Facility Audit for Abuse Prohibition and Sources for Required Contacts (August 2008)


Self-Study Modules

MU's Self-Study Modules present an overview of the entire Resident Assessment Process (RAI) with emphasis on the Resident Assessment Protocols (RAPs) and care planning process based on the RAI.  The modules are organized so that you can learn at your own pace.  If you are struggling with care plan or RAP issues, or are working with staff in need of RAI education, the Self-Study Modules can help.

RAI Self Study Module (revised May 2006)


RAI/MDS Audits

RAI Policy Sample/Job Description (revised June 2006)


List of Thresholds

Missouri MDS QI Thresholds (updated October 2009)


Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG)

QIPMO CPG Selection Guide and Resource List
Implementing Clinical Guidelines: Yes you can!

AMDA CPGs in the Long Term Care Setting (online ordering)
University of Iowa Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines (online ordering)

NEW Commonly Requested Guidelines:


NEW The Continuing Saga of Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment

Part 1 (PowerPoint presentation)
Part 2 (PowerPoint presentation)
Part 3 (PowerPoint presentation)


Culture Change

Implementing Change in Long Term Care: Manual
Implementing Change in Long Term Care: Case Studies
Implementing Change in Long Term Care: Worksheets
AANAC: The Softer Side of the MDS
Culture Change Now!


Educational Opportunities

MDS/RAI Workshops
Other Educational Opportunities
Helpful Links

We hope these links will assist your facility with its day-to-day MDS activities:


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Updated Thursday, March 11, 2010