Overview
Dataset Summary
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 is a federally mandated clinical assessment of residents in Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes and swing bed facilities. The dataset contains detailed information on residents’ health conditions, cognitive status, functional abilities, treatments, and care needs.
MDS 3.0 is widely used for research on long-term care quality, post-acute care outcomes, functional decline, and care transitions. When linked with Medicare claims, it supports comprehensive analyses of healthcare utilization and outcomes among older adults in institutional settings.
Caveats
- Access requires a Data Use Agreement (DUA) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.
- The approval and data acquisition process may take several months.
- Substantial data access fees may apply.
- Data are based on standardized facility assessments, which may vary in accuracy depending on documentation practices.
Examples of Outcomes Examined
- Functional status of residents
- Cognitive status and impairment
- Post-acute recovery trajectories
- Quality indicators in long-term care
Topic
Aging and Long-Term Care, Geriatrics/Palliative Care, Long-Term Care & Skilled Nursing
Resource Type
Dataset
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