New CMS Survey & Certification Letter: Discharge Assessments

          This memo clarifies the steps facilities must take to address MDS 3.0 discharge assessments that have not been completed and/or submitted as required under 42 CFR §483.20(g) and 42 CFR §483.20(f)(1).

o   42 CFR §483.20(g)-Accuracy of Assessment, requires that assessments “accurately reflect the resident’s status.”

o   42 CFR §483.20 (f)-Automated Data Processing, requires facilities to encode the following information for each resident in the facility within 7 days from completion of a resident’s assessment: (i) Admission assessment. (ii) Annual assessment updates. (iii) Significant change in status assessments. (iv) Quarterly review assessments. (v) A subset of items upon a resident’s transfer, reentry, discharge, and death. “A ‘subset of items upon…discharge…’ means discharge assessment.”