Re: ARD Clarification

[carol maher]

Deb, The MDS should NOT be finished on the ARD.  The ARD is the last day of the observation period and that day does not end until midnight.  The reason that we have an ARD is so that everyone is looking at the same observation window.  Therefore, disciplines cannot give you their information for the MDS (or enter into computer if they are responsible for completion at your facility) until at least the day after the ARD.  According to the RAI manual, you have 14 days from admission to finish the admission assessment---so you can set your ARD to be any day in that first 14 days that will allow you to capture enough information to complete an accurate assessment and complete it within the first 14 days.  Other MDS allow you to have 14 days from the ARD until the assessment actually needs to be signed as complete.  The other exception that comes to mind is a significant change which must be completed within 14 days of the determination of significant change.Look at the table on page 2-22 of the manual for a quick glance at the regs for MDS completion.  I have a feeling that you are making the process harder than it needs to be.  Hope this is good news for you and your facility. ----- Original Message ----- From: D Hawk To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 4:32 PM Subject: ARD Clarification I am new at MDS's and am confused.  Please give me some advice.  The first section of the new RAI clarifications and  revisions states that the ARD is the last date of the assessment.   We have therapies in the afternoon and the therapists do not always have time to put the minutes in or do their sections of the MDS on the last day of the ARD. Is it considered late if it is not finished until the next day?  What about nursing,  there are always doctors in late in the evening writing new orders?   If the MDS is finished that afternoon, something could be missed.  Thanks for your response. Deb