Question

What is the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) and what is it used for in the nursing facility?

What are the three components of the RAI?

What are the steps in the minimum data set (MDS) care planning process?

Answer 1

Resident assessment instrument (RAI) refers to a standardized approach adopted to examine nursing home quality and to improve nursing home regulation.The main aim of RAI is to encourage restorative and rehabilitative care and to guide care plans.

Persons generally enter a nursing facility due to functional status problems caused by physical deterioration, cognitive decline, the onset or exacerbation of an acute illness or condition, or other related factors. The individual’s ability to manage independently has been limited to the extent that skilled nursing, medical treatment and/or rehabilitation is needed for residents to maintain and/or restore function or to live safely from day to day. While we recognize that there are often unavoidable declines, particularly in the last stages of life, all necessary resources and disciplines must be used to ensure that residents achieve the highest level of functioning possible (Quality of Care) and maintain their sense of individuality (Quality of Life).

Three component of RAI

1. Minimum Data Set (MDS)
2. Resident Assessment Protocols (RAP)
3. Utilization Guidelines

Steps in the minimum data set (MDS) care planning process

1. The Basic Assessment Tracking Form
2. Background (Face Sheet) Information at Admission Form
3. Clinical Assessment
4. Signature and Completion Date
5. State Section
6. Supplement
7. Medications
8. Resident Assessment Protocol Summary