I don't audit every MDS (no time for this), but have set a standard to do 10 per month--works best for time mgt. to do 2 one week, 3 next, 2 next, 3 next. I do this from a quality assurance standpoint and am looking for trends where I need to focus on re-training MDS coding or supportive documentation, and changing strategies to improve reimbursement, etc.
I approach it by looking only at the reimbursement items (while doing this, I sometimes note errors in other areas as well)---we are in a case mix state and have state external auditors come once a yr. to validate our MDS with the RUGs, so I feel I am ahead of the game by doing this. I am hard on the facility when documentation is questionable so we can improve. Try to conduct the audits as if I am from the state team or a DAVE team. I think it can ony help to make us better. I would rather find the time to do this than have the auditors, state or DAVE find our problems....doesn't really take that much time if you spread it out and it goes fast
er after you get into a routine with it.
By the way, I am auditing others MDS coding as well as my own, although I complete some of the MDS, I don't do them all. Unit nurse managers who know their residents better than I complete the majority of their own MDS. Before anyone asks, 204 census, 35 Medicare, most of which stay only 14-40 days so lots of admissions, 2 MDS coordinators, ....
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