The uptake and use of minimum data sets (MDS) for older people living and dying in care homes: a realist review

Musa, M. K. et al. (2022) The uptake and use of minimum data sets (MDS) for older people living and dying in care homes: a realist review. BMC Geriatrics, 22(1), 33. (doi: 10.1186/s12877-021-02705-w) (PMID:34996391) (PMCID:PMC8739629)

Abstract

Background: Care homes provide long term care for older people. Countries with standardised approaches to residents’ assessment, care planning and review (known as minimum data sets (MDS)) use the aggregate data to guide resource allocation, monitor quality, and for research. Less is known about how an MDS affects how staff assess, provide and review residents’ everyday care. The review aimed to develop a theory-driven understanding of how care home staff can effectively implement and use MDS to plan and deliver care for residents. Methods: The realist review was organised according to RAMESES (Realist And Meta-narrative Evidence Synthesis: and Evolving Standards) guidelines. There were three overlapping stages: 1) defining the scope of the review and theory development on the use of minimum data set 2) testing and refining candidate programme theories through iterative literature searches and stakeholders’ consultations as well as discussion among the research team; and 3) data synthesis from stages 1 and 2. The following databases were used MEDLINE via OVID, Embase, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), ASSIA [Applied Social Sciences Citation Index and Abstracts]) and sources of grey literature. Results: Fifty-one papers informed the development of three key interlinked theoretical propositions: motivation (mandates and incentives for Minimum Data Set completion); frontline staff monitoring (when Minimum Data Set completion is built into the working practices of the care home); and embedded recording systems (Minimum Data Set recording system is integral to collecting residents’ data). By valuing the contributions of staff and building on existing ways of working, the uptake and use of an MDS could enable all staff to learn with and from each other about what is important for residents’ care Conclusions: Minimum Data Sets provides commissioners service providers and researchers with standardised information useful for commissioning planning and analysis. For it to be equally useful for care home staff it requires key activities that address the staff experiences of care, their work with others and the use of digital technology. Registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42020171323.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Burton, Dr Jenni
• Authors: Musa, M. K., Akdur, G., Brand, S., Killett, A., Spilsbury, K., Peryer, G., Burton, J. K., Gordon, A. L., Hanratty, B., Towers, A.- M., Irvine, L., Kelly, S., Jones, L., Meyer, J., and Goodman, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: BMC Geriatrics
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1471-2318
• ISSN (Online): 1471-2318
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2022
• First Published: First published in BMC Geriatrics 22(1):33
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
305130		Developing research resouces and minimum data set for Care Homes' Adoption and use	Jennifer Burton	National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)	DACHA Study C005195	HW - Robertson Centre