MDS Alert
Understand ‘Self-Limiting’ to Navigate SCSA
Question: A colleague says that if a resident develops a condition that is “self-limiting,” we don’t need to complete a SCSA. Is this true? Nevada Subscriber Answer: Yes, with caveats. Generally, the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual recommends completing a Significant Change in Status Assessment (SCSA) when a resident experiences a significant change. The RAI Manual says, in Chapter 2: “A condition is defined as ‘self-limiting’ when the condition will normally resolve itself without further intervention or by staff implementing standard disease-related clinical interventions. If the condition has not resolved within 2 weeks, staff should begin an SCSA. This time frame may vary depending on clinical judgment and resident needs.” Regardless of whether anyone performs an SCSA, it’s important that a staff member documents the rationale on the resident’s medical record.
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Understand ‘Self-Limiting’ to Navigate SCSA
Question: A colleague says that if a resident develops a condition that is “self-limiting,” we don’t [...]
