The minimum data set as a predictor of resident outcome in long term care facilities

The objective of this research project was to determine if selected independent variables on the Minimum Data Set were predictive of resident discharge from long term care facilities within 182 days of admission, or predictive of continued institutionalization. Data were obtained from a medium sized southeastern university that was involved in an unrelated research project with a long term care corporation.

After being selected for the study, subject related data were categorized into five different populations depending upon outcome. Those populations were; 1) discharge to the community setting, 2) discharge to an acute care facility, 3) discharge to another long term care facility, 4) death, or 5) continued institutionalization.

Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, percentages, and a simple odds ratio. The simple odds ratio was used to determine the effect an independent MDS variable had upon subject outcome in each of the five populations.

Several MDS variables selected for the research project functioned as predictors of resident outcome. Those variables are; 1) admitting diagnosis which is predictive of outcome in all populations, 2) ability to perform the activities of daily living which is predictive of outcome in all populations except for continued institutionalization, 3) whether discharge is planned within three months of admission which was predictive of outcome in all populations except for discharge to another long term care facility, 4) source of payment for care by personal resources which was predictive of discharge to another long term care facility, death, or continued institutionalization, and 5) the level of bowel and bladder continence was predictive of outcome with those continent more likely to be discharged to the community, while those incontinent were more likely to be discharged an acute care facility, or die.

In conclusion, the research project determined that selected variables in the Minimum Data Set could act as predictors of resident discharge within 182 days of admission to the community, acute care facilities, other long term care facilities, death within 182 days of admission, or be predictive of continued institutionalization in excess of 182 days.