Re: Dashes and the MDS

[Nathan]

The proper use of the dash, or "Unknown" as it is often written, was very confusing during the early days of MDS software. Even now it is not properly implemented in all software. Most MDS items can be answered as unknown.   AC1 (Customary Routine) is a perfect example of how confusing this can be.   Every answer except AC1y can be answered as unknown (i.e. dash). Let's take Involvement Patterns (AC1s-x) as an example.   If you have no information about AC1s(Daily contact iwth realtives/close friends), you should mark this individual item as unknown (dash). How you would do this is up to your software. You might type in a dash, you might check a checkbox. If you answer AC1s as unknown (dash), you can not check AC1x (NONE OF ABOVE) since this would indicate that you have information about AC1s. If AC1s is answered unknown (dash), and none of the other items (AC1t-w) are checked then AC1x (NONE OF ABOVE) must be answered with a dash. You software should do this automatically.   Confused yet?   AC1y (UNKNOWN) can not be answered with a dash. It must be checked or left blank. If can only be checked if all of AC1a-x are blank or answered unknown (dash). If AC1y is checked then all of AC1a-x must be blank or anwered unknown (dash). If it is not checked then at least one item AC1a-x must be checked.   If you software does not do most of htis automatically, have fun explaining this to a new person.   Nathan ----- Original Message ----- From: carol maher To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 8:00 AM Subject: Re: Dashes and the MDS Page 3-5 of the RAI manual states 'The standard no-infomation code is a "dash" 9-).  this code indicates that all available sources of information have been exahausted; that is the information is not available, and despite exhaustive probing, it remains unavailable." So, any question that you do not have information to answer can be coded with a dash.  Some of the sections give a none of the above, or in the case of balance tests give other options in case the resident is not able to participate.  But  if you truly do not have the information for a question, it can be answered with a dash.  It is probably more the restriction of your software than of CMS.  -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Jan 11, 2004 9:44 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Dashes and the MDS Where can I get a list of the questions that we are allowed to use a dash in if we don't have an answer.  A software company is telling me that it is only B2a&b and K 3a&b.  I think there are more and that CMS sent out a list at one time. /---------------------------------------------------------- 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 -----------------------------------------------------------/