CHAPTER 11 | Apply Standards of Nutrition Care & Review Effectiveness of the Nutrition Care Plan
The RAI defines a significant change as a major decline or improvement in a client’s status that:
1. Will not normally resolve itself without intervention by staff or by implementing standard disease-related clinical interventions.
2. Impacts more than one area of the client’s health status.
3. Requires interdisciplinary review and/or revision of the care plan due to changes in interventions currently in place.
Refer to Table 11.5 for characteristics of a significant change according to the RAI.
A new RAI is required within 14 days for readmitted clients, unless no significant condition change has occurred.
If a facility discharged a client without the anticipation of that client returning, but that client is readmitted anyway for some reason, that client will require a brand-new RAI (MDS, CAA, care plan) within 14 days of their new admission date. This typically occurs when a client’s current facility bed has not been reserved for them while they are out of the facility.
If a client returns to a facility following a temporary absence for hospitalization or therapeutic leave, it is considered a return to the facility. Facilities are not required to assess a client who is readmitted unless a significant
change in the client’s condition has occurred during the time of the client’s absence. In most situations the event that caused a hospital admission will be considered a significant change for the client. Thus, a new comprehensive assessment using the RAI will be warranted/needed. In these situations, follow the procedures for
Table 11.5 Characteristics of a Significant Change SIGNIFICANT DECLINE
• Client’s ability to make decisions for themselves declines
• Change in client’s mood or an increase in the symptom frequency
• Any change in ADL physical functioning area such as from limited assistance to extensive assistance
• Client’s incontinence pattern changes or there is placement of a catheter
• Unplanned weight loss (>5% change in 30 days or >10% change in 180 days)
• Client begins to use trunk restraint or a chair that prevents rising when it was not used before
• Overall deterioration of client’s condition Source: CMS, 2023c
Nutrition Fundamentals and Medical Nutrition Therapy SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT
• Any improvement in an ADL physical functioning area such as a change from limited assistance to independent
• Decrease in the number of areas where behavioral symptoms are coded as being present and/or the frequency of a symptom decreases
• Client’s ability to make decisions for themselves improves