Getting Started: MDS Nurses

Recommended daily workflow for MDS nurses and coordinators

1. Start on the MDS Overview page and review In Progress MDS and Upcoming MDS

2. Open Function Scores for residents with upcoming ARDs and validate changes from the last MDS. You are also able to analyze the current FS baselines for your residents and discover areas of opportunity. 

3. Review Diagnoses Analysis to identify CMI impacting documentation that needs follow-up

4. Check Restorative Analysis to ensure RNP documentation is complete and supports MDS requirements

5. Use MDS History as a reference when confirming previous assessments and resident trends

Broken down further: 

1. MDS Overview page

The MDS Overview page is your starting point for daily assessment planning and tracking.

What you will see

1. In Progress in Jana shows residents with MDS assessments currently being prepared
2. Upcoming MDS Due shows assessments with ARD dates in the next 14 days that are not yet in progress
3. Key fields such as Next ARD, type of assessment, Current Function Score, Current RNP, Last MDS, Last Function Score, CMG, and MDS RNP progress

Why it matters
This view helps you prioritize work, identify residents who need immediate review, and track progress toward completion.

2. Function Scores

Use Function Scores to validate that the resident’s current ADL baseline reflects caregiver charting and aligns with the last submitted MDS.

What to do

1. Compare current function scores to the last MDS function score
2. Identify residents whose current scores may have changed
3. Confirm whether updates should be made to baselines or flagged for clinical follow-up

Why it matters
Accurate function scores support correct assessment coding and reimbursement-related documentation.

3. Diagnoses Analysis

Use Diagnoses Analysis to review diagnoses that may impact CMI and identify opportunities for clinical review and documentation alignment.

What to do

1. Review diagnoses flagged as CMI impacting
2. Confirm documentation supports active diagnoses
3. Coordinate with nursing leadership when diagnosis follow-up is needed

Why it matters
Diagnosis accuracy and documentation alignment can directly affect reimbursement and audit readiness.

4. Restorative Analysis

Use Restorative Analysis to track restorative nursing program completion and confirm that restorative documentation supports MDS requirements.

What to do

1. Monitor resident participation and charting completion
2. Identify residents who are under-documenting or missing restorative minutes
3. Validate that restorative programs are appropriately assigned and documented

Why it matters
Restorative tracking supports accurate MDS coding and documentation compliance.

5. MDS History

Use MDS History to review past assessments and confirm what was previously submitted.

What to do

1. Browse all MDS assessments for a resident
2. Reference past dates, assessment types, and previous baseline data
3. Use prior assessments to guide current review and decision-making

Why it matters
This provides continuity and a reliable reference when evaluating changes over time.