Developing the use of MDS/RAI reports for UK care homes

The MDS/RAI (Minimum Data Set Resident Assessment Instrument)is a standardised assessment system developed by interRAI used internationally to raise standards of care in long-term care homes. Implementation in the UK has been sparse and currently there are no well-established demonstration sites for use in long-term care (although Cheshire has adopted and successfully implemented the (MDS-HC (Minimum Data Set Home Care) for community care). Successful implementation of the MDS/RAI requires a methodical approach and commitment: it is a way of developing best practice that goes far beyond just gathering information about care needs. This project aimed to develop an implementation process model for MDS/RAI use in three UK care homes through an iterative and collaborative process.