MDS Alert

What Do You Think?

How Does the Clinical Change Assessment Compare to the Significant Change in Status Assessment?

Answer: "The clinical change assessment is like the significant change in status assessment --  it essentially does the same thing," says Sherri Robbins, BSN , RN, supervising consultant with  KD LLP in Springfield, Mo. "Swing bed providers don't have to do any of the OBRA-required assessments, however. Swing bed providers don't have to complete Section V or any of the Care Area Assessment and care planning required of SNFs. Their care planning is completed just as it is for their acute patients in the hospital.

"The assessments swing-bed [providers] do are for payment purposes only," adds Robbins. Yet even though the MDS 3.0 is "pared down" for swing bed providers, "it's still significantly more than they were required to do under the MDS 2.0."

What Counts as Non-Pharmacological Pain Interventions for Coding Section J?

Answer: According to the RAI User's Manual, says Sherri Robbins, BSN, RN, the following applies: "Scheduled and implemented non-pharmacological interventions include, but are not limited to: biofeedback, application of heat/cold, massage, physical therapy, nerve block, stretching and strengthening exercises, chiropractic, electrical stimulation, radiotherapy, ultrasound and acupuncture. Herbal medications are not included in this category." "You should also include the intervention as part of the care plan," says Robbins.

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