Optimizing Patient Care: The Role of Daily Clinical Meetings in MDS Coordination

In the context of healthcare facilities, particularly those providing long-term care and skilled nursing services, daily clinical meetings are a critical component for ensuring high-quality patient care and operational efficiency. These meetings play a pivotal role in interdisciplinary team collaboration, patient-centered care planning, and regulatory compliance. Here is a structured approach to conducting effective daily clinical meetings

Objectives of Daily Clinical Meetings

1. Review Patient Conditions: Discuss changes in patient health status, review significant changes (SCCs), and identify any new care needs.
2. MDS Assessment Coordination: Ensure timely completion of MDS assessments, coordinate assessment schedules, and review coding accuracy and completeness.
3. Care Plan Updates: Update care plans based on recent assessments, interdisciplinary team input, and patient or family feedback.
4. Quality Measures and Improvement: Review quality measures impacted by MDS assessments and plan quality improvement initiatives.
5. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure care delivery and documentation practices comply with CMS regulations and standards.

Participants                  

• MDS Coordinator
• Director of Nursing (DON)
• Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON)
• Charge Nurses / Floor Nurses
• Rehabilitation Therapists (Physical, Occupational, Speech)
• Social Services
• Dietary Manager
• Activity Director

Agenda for Daily Clinical Meetings

1. Review of Current Patient Status:

• • Brief update on each patient's health status, focusing on new admissions, discharges, hospital transfers, and significant changes in condition.

2. MDS Assessment and Schedule Review:

• • Verify deadlines for upcoming MDS assessments.
  • Address any delays or issues in completing MDS assessments.

3. Care Plan Review and Updates:

• • Discuss updates to care plans based on MDS outcomes and interdisciplinary team assessments., new orers, changes in conditions,
  • Ensure care plans are individualized and address all identified needs.

4. Interdisciplinary Team Coordination:

• • Facilitate communication among team members regarding patient care, therapy needs, social services, and activities.
  • Discuss any interdisciplinary interventions needed.

5. Quality Improvement Discussion:

• • Review quality measures that are affected by recent MDS submissions.
  • Plan for any targeted quality improvement actions.

6. Regulatory and Compliance Updates:

• • Share updates on regulatory requirements and compliance issues.
  • Discuss any recent survey results or corrective actions.

7. Action Item Assignment:

• • Assign specific tasks or follow-ups to appropriate team members.
  • Set deadlines and expectations for completion.

Best Practices

• Preparation: Ensure all participants have access to necessary patient information and MDS data prior to the meeting.
• Efficiency: Keep the meeting focused and time-bound, ideally no longer than 30 minutes to one hour.
• Documentation: Record key decisions, action items, and responsible parties for follow-up.
• Patient-Centered Approach: Always consider the patient's preferences, needs, and goals in all discussions and decisions.
• Continuous Learning: Use these meetings as an opportunity for staff education on MDS processes, coding updates, and best practices.

Daily clinical meetings, when effectively conducted, foster a collaborative environment where the multidisciplinary team can align on patient care priorities, address regulatory requirements, and improve overall care quality through MDS-driven insights.