What does ARD stand for?

The most frequent inaccuracy used on the SB-MDS is Question 10 Assessment Reference Date (ARD).

The determination of "completed timely" is based on the Assessment Reference Date (ARD) being set within the required time frame.

Know who sets assessment reference dates (ARD) and tracks when a resident is in an assessment reference period--this is the data collection window.

One year later, many SNFs still are struggling with some of these challenges, which include--crucially--a new understanding of the importance of assessment reference dates (ARD).

In another facility, using the appropriate Assessment Reference Date (ARD) increased Medicare payment by $50 per patient day, for an added $200,000 that year.

Status reports of your MDS process that detail the numbers and types of MDS documents in the system * RUGs reports with assessment reference dates (ARD) and ADL scores * Quality indicators/Quality measures, pretransmission ones being the best to use * Rehab utilization reports that show minutes of therapy by discipline and by resident diagnosis groups * Rehab services as related to ADL scores * Other reports driven by changes in diagnostic groups, admission patterns, or quality assurance focus Your MDS and payment database feed into your total operations.

Timing the Assessment Reference Date (ARD): MDS coordinators must have knowledge and flexibility to move the ARD to a date that captures the greatest acuity and therefore the most appropriately reimbursed RUG.

It is important that clinical staff have easy access to the CMI list so that they can make good decisions about setting the Assessment Reference Date (ARD) on the MDS.