MDS Alert
Test Your Knowledge about SCSAs
Being familiar with the nuts and bolts of hospice situations may help! Knowing when to complete a significant change in status assessment (SCSA) is an important aspect of an MDS coordinator’s job! Use this quiz to check how your understanding of SCSAs matches the MDS coordinator’s holy book: the RAI Manual. See page 6 for answers, rationale, and more information. 1) Fill in the blank: An SCSA may be appropriate when a resident’s condition _____ or declines as compared to their baseline condition. 2) True or false: An SCSA may be appropriate if a resident’s condition is not expected to return to baseline within two weeks. 3) True or false: For a resident who goes in and out of the facility on a relatively frequent basis and reentry is expected within the next 30 days, the resident may be discharged with return anticipated. 4) True or false: An SCSA is not required when a terminally ill resident enrolls in a hospice program (Medicare-certified or State-licensed hospice provider) or changes hospice providers and remains a resident at the nursing home. 5) Fill in the blank: An SCSA is required to be performed when a resident is receiving hospice services and then decides to discontinue those services (known as ______ of hospice care). 6) Fill in the blank: The ARD must be less than or equal to __ days after the IDT’s determination that the criteria for an SCSA are met (determination date + __ calendar days). 7) True or false: An SCSA is appropriate if there are either two or more areas of decline or two or more areas of improvement. 8) True or false: You cannot complete an SCSA for a resident whose situation does not meet the criteria. Click here to find out the answers.
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