The Medical Review Team (MRT) ensures careful screening of any individual under age 22 for whom placement is sought in a pediatric nursing home or skilled nursing facility for long-term care, short-term care (90 days/year) and short term post hospital admission. Youth and young adults (ages 16-22) with skilled care needs, acquired brain injury (ABI), or traumatic brain injury (TBI) are also reviewed by the MRT for placement in pediatric or adult facilities.
The Department of Public Health, like other Massachusetts human service agencies, works with families to promote high quality community-based services for children and adolescents with special health care needs. However, when a child or adolescent fits strict medical and cognitive criteria, the MRT may determine that nursing home placement is appropriate.
Key components
- A multi-disciplinary interagency team, including consumers and representatives of human service agencies, medical and health providers, and other professionals
- Twice monthly meetings (with special meetings arranged when needed) to review cases
- Decision-making based on material from medical providers and other professionals
- Participation by parents/family members and staff from referring agencies; Consideration of alternative community-based options before nursing home eligibility is determined
- Certification for pediatric nursing home or skilled nursing facility placement based solely on medical and developmental criteria that are outlined in the application
- When a child or adolescent is not certified for placement, appropriate alternatives to placement recommended to the referral source and family
Our target population is children and adolescents between the ages of birth and 22, with multiple disabilities and significant cognitive impairments, who require skilled nursing care and/or intensive therapeutic treatment and habilitative interventions on a 24 hour per day basis.