<P> The Minimum Data Set (MDS) is part of the U.S. federally mandated process for clinical assessment of all residents in Medicare or Medicaid certified nursing homes . This process provides a comprehensive assessment of each resident's functional capabilities and helps nursing home staff identify health problems . </P> <P> Resource Utilization Groups (RUG) are part of this process, and provide the foundation upon which a resident's individual care plan is formulated . MDS assessment forms are completed for all residents in certified nursing homes, regardless of source of payment for the individual resident . MDS assessments are required for residents on admission to the nursing facility and then periodically, within specific guidelines and time frames . In most cases, participants in the assessment process are licensed health care professionals, usually Registered Nurses, employed by the nursing home . MDS information is transmitted electronically by nursing homes to the MDS database in their respective states . MDS information from the state databases is captured into the national MDS database at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). </P> <P> Categories of MDS (Minimum Data Set) </P> <Ol> <Li> Cognitive patterns </Li> <Li> Communication and hearing patterns </Li> <Li> Vision patterns </Li> <Li> Physical functioning and structural problems </Li> <Li> Continence </Li> <Li> Psychosocial well - being </Li> <Li> Mood and behavior patterns </Li> <Li> Activity pursuit patterns </Li> <Li> Disease diagnoses </Li> <Li> Other health conditions </Li> <Li> Oral / nutritional status </Li> <Li> Oral / dental status </Li> <Li> Skin condition </Li> <Li> Medication use </Li> <Li> Treatments and procedures </Li> </Ol>

What is the purpose of the mds as a screening tool