Depending on the software you have the MDS data can be a very rich tool to use for the Continuous Quality Improvement process in your facility - we use it all the time. We have Pathlinks software and are able to query every item on the MDS - how many pressure ulcers, incont, psychotropics - on and on. The data of course may need to be tweeked for some of it may be old (if approaching quarterly might be old data). But QI data is based on trends and patterns, not necessary indiv. residents. Holly QI in CT > -----Original Message----- > From: Paul Beaulne [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 1:06 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: I am not sure the MDS QIs are useful as a Traditional Quality > Assurance system > > > > > > The MDS is not a Quality Assurance System in the traditional sense. > > You can not use it for data collection that requires the answers to questions such > as: > > a) How many falls did we have in the month of January? > b) Have the absolute number of falls increased this year over last? > c) Are more people falling? > > > There are 2 questions related to falls: > 1 ask, in the last 30 days and > the other ask, in the last 31 to 180 days. > > So if a person fell on December 1 2002 and had following assessment schedule: > > Quarterly December 1 2002 > Quarterly March 1 2003 > Quarterly June 1 2003 > Annual Sept 1 2003 > Quarterly December 1 2003 > Quarterly March 1 2004 > Quarterly June 1 2004 > Annual Sept 1 2004 > > Then in December there would be "1" fall last 30 days "0" 31-180 days > > Let 0 mean no Fall and 1 mean a fall then the fall pattern for person A would be: > > Date 30Day 31-180Day > > Dec 1 0 > Mar 0 1 > Jun 0 1 > Sep 0 0 > Dec 0 0 > Mar 0 0 > Jun 0 0 > Sep 0 0 > > ******************* > > Now lets assume that a person B fell twice a day for every day of December 2003 or > 62 times. > > Date 30Day 31-180Day > > Dec 1 0 > Mar 0 1 > Jun 0 1 > Sep 0 0 > Dec 0 0 > Mar 0 0 > Jun 0 0 > Sep 0 0 > > How would you know if person A was different than person B > > The only thing you can say with the MDS QI is relative to how the MDS measures > things other site may be having more or less falls. > > The way I see it. > > > > > << File: businesscard-paul.gif >> > > <http://office.mede-care.ca/emaillogo/footer.gif> > > Visit our MDS Users Forum WWW.RAI.TO > > THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE ADDRESSEE, IT MAY CONTAIN PRIVILEGED OR > CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. ANY UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURE IS > STRICTLY PROHIBITED. > > IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS MESSAGE IN ERROR, PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY SO THAT WE > MAY CORRECT OUR INTERNAL RECORDS. PLEASE THEN DELETE THE ORIGINAL EMAIL. > /---------------------------------------------------------- The Case Mix Discussion Group is a free service of the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators "Committed to the Assessment Professional" Be sure to visit the AANAC website. Accurate answers to your questions posted to NAC News and FAQs. For more info visit us at http://www.aanac.org -----------------------------------------------------------/
