Administrators: “MDS BEWARE”
Posted by: Eileen Parenti of Specialty Rx
We have all heard the buzz about the MDS 3.0 over the past several months and how it will affect reimbursement and staffing. The staff has been trained and hopefully the facilities are prepared to handle the role out of this new process. We know that change is very difficult for anyone to handle. “Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.” James Belasco and Ralph Stayer Flight of the Buffalo (1994)
As an administrator it is your duty to assist and support your staff in the change with the MDS. As in the MDS user manual “you” as the administrator can validate the employees work. Make sure that as you are meeting with your staff they are properly assessing the residents. Evaluate the staff’s interview process. There is a new meaning to the words sock, blue and bed. Audit the dates for compliance as it may affect your facility reimbursement. Sit in on (a) care plan sessions to ensure that they are clinically sound. The resident interview will have a tremendous impact on care planning. Resident preferences and accommodation of needs will need to be addressed. An active administrator will show the team that you understand and are aware of the struggles associated with change. Utilize incentive programs, positive reinforcement and of course above all good communication with your staff. The goal is to be successful for the facility, staff and above all the residents.
Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.
– John Wooden
