I am not the MDS Coordinator, I'm involved with the quality measures and quality
indicators and other quality issues. I think the MDS is what it says it is, a MINIMUM
data set. I think the RAPs are like long division. Most nurses who understand and use
the Resident Assessment Instrument will tell you that they do not think the RAPs are
helpful. This is because they do the RAP "in their head".They have already
accomplished what the RAP is meant to do before they start writing. I think the RAP
is most helpful to nurses who are not well-versed in the RAI process (you know - the
ones who cannot accurately quote the manual explanations for all of the RAP sections).
The RAP is not only a decision-making tool, but a documentation of the decision making
process. I think the documentation part, of how you arrived at your decision, is quite
important in the regulatory atmosphere we live in.
darlene
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