Minimum Data Set (MDS)
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) is a uniform set of elements extracted from the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) which is a standardized tool for assessing the functional capacity of residents of long term care facilities. On December 23, 1997, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the fine rule, which established the guidelines for the use of the data set and specified the data elements included in the assessment instrument. Long term care facilities are required to complete and transmit MDS data to the designated state agency for all residents as a condition of participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Automated transmission of all MDS data is required beginning June 22, 1998.
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More information
For more information on MDS issues, please contact one of the following staff at the Division of Health Care Quality:
Resident Assessments
Paul DiNatale
RAI Coordinator
(617) 753-8222
Email: Paul DiNatale
Resident Assessments
Deirdre Hanniffy
(617) 753-8202
Email: Deirdre Hanniffy
Automation
Andrew Sinatra
MDS/OASIS Automation
(617) 753-8188
Email: Andrew Sinatra
This information is provided by the Division of Health Care Quality within the Department of Public Health.