The yield of minimum data set-resident assessment instrument (MDS-RAI) in a long term care facility in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: The number of older people is increasing worldwide. The older persons health and social problems are diverse and complex. Throughout the world, the search is underway for reliable means of identifying the needs and measuring the outcome and effectiveness of services to meet them. The task is made more difficult by the variety of settings in which people are served and diversity of provider.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to gain knowledge and experience in comprehensive geriatric assessment using the Minimum Data Set-Resident Assessment Instrument (MDS-RAI), to detect unrecognized medical and psychological problems and make specific recommendations to older patients for Improving health and quality of life based on assessment findings.

METHODOLOGY. This is a prospective study done at the long term care facility of the Convent of the Holy Spirit. All 30 residents were interviewed and examined by a Geriatric Medicine fellow from the Geriatric Centre, St. Lukes Medical Center using MDS-RAI.

RESULTS: Problems noted were deficits in activities of daily living, institutional risks, risk for falls, polypharmacy, pain, lack of immunizations and screening procedures. Recommendations were thus made based on the results gathered with the aim of restoring and maintaining maximum function.

CONCLUSION: The MDS-RAI is a useful tool for geriatric assessment in a long term care facility. This facilitates more dynamic and affirmative care plan for the older population in local Long Term Care institutions.