Skilled Nursing Facilities

MDS 2.0 RUG Optimizer

The RUG Optimizer shows you predicted RUG values for a range of ARDs. The system uses information collected via the POC, UDA, and Therapy Minutes modules, and shows estimated RUG scores before creating an MDS assessment. The RUG optimizer link is available when creating Admission, Annual, Quarterly, and Significant Change MDS assessments. If you enable the RUG Optimizer in MDS configuration, the RUG Optimizer option is visible from the Reason for Assessment window that appears. 

  3. In the Reason for Assessment window that appears, select the appropriate information for your assessment type.

  4. Click Here for the Rug Optimizer. This allows you to view the RUG Optimizer, based on the assessment reference date.

  5. The RUG Optimizer table shows the following information:

    • ARD - shows potential ARDs based on the date entered into the A3-Assessment Reference Date field

    • Therapy - shows data from the Therapy Minutes module for Speech/Audiology, Occupational and Physical Therapy, as these are the types of therapy that are used to calculate RUG scores

    • ADL Score - shows ADL score based on POC documentation of ADL self-performance follow-up questions

    • State RUG - shows a predicted RUG score based on the Therapy Minutes and ADL Score

  6. Click the linked RUG Score. Two windows appear. One window is the RUGS Question Summary, which shows the various RUG items in the MDS, and their responses according to RUG items from various sources. The second window is the Case Mix Analyzer, which shows the potential RUG score according to RUG group. It also shows the calculations that determine the ADL Score and the various categories of RUGs.

  7. Based on the RUG Optimizer's predicted RUG score, select an ARD for the most beneficial RUG score listed, and make the change to the A3-Assessment Reference Date field in the Reason for Assessment window that appears.

  • This feature works best with daily collection of ADL data through POC, and the use of the Therapy Minutes Module.

  • You can input a different A3-Assessment Reference Date in the field and click the Here link to re-calculate the RUG Optimizer based on a new ARD to see different potential ARDs going seven days back from the A3 date.

  • The RUG Optimizer does not take into consideration other coding items that might contribute to RUG scores such as IV Therapy, Skin Treatments, and so on.

  • The RUG Optimizer can be enabled with the appropriate security permissions through Clinical > Setup > MDS Configuration > Enable RUG Optimizer? = Yes.