EQUIP's MDS 3.0 Analytics Tool Will be Available on October 1st

MDS 3.0 will be implemented on October 1st. Did you know that CMS will have a QM/QI blackout period, during which time there will be no MDS 3.0 QM/QI reports available on your state's QIES site? CMS does not anticipate finalizing and posting the new MDS 3.0-based QM/QIs until at least April 2012 and possibly longer. During this blackout period, QM/QIs will not be publicly available but you will still need to monitor and track outcomes.

We've got you covered! During the transition time between MDS 2.0 and MDS 3.0, the EQUIP MDS Analytics Tool will:

• be available on October 1, 2010 when the MDS 3.0 takes effect as 2 different tools. Our existing tool will continue to allow you to upload your MDS 2.0 assessments; our new tool will be fully capable of accepting MDS 3.0 assessments as soon as you complete them.
• provide you with MDS 3.0-based reports that will enable you to identify quality issues during the QM/QI blackout period.
• continue to help you prepare for survey. The surveyors will not have pre-survey access to the state QM/QI reports during the blackout period, and will need to identify residents with quality issues when they arrive at your facility. With EQUIP, you will be able to identify the residents with negative outcomes before the surveyors walk through your doors.
• alert you to potential inconsistencies in MDS 3.0 coding that if left uncorrected would affect payment, Care Area Assessment (CAA) areas and quality of care.

It's more important now than ever to utilize EQUIP to monitor and track your organization's outcomes.

The EQUIP team is committed to help you make a seamless and successful transition to MDS 3.0.

For more information on the new MDS 3.0 from CMS, click here.