Care Area Triggers (CAT).
The goal of the CATs is to guide the interdisciplinary team toward a comprehensive assessment of a resident’s functional status.
The CATs are a set of items and responses from the MDS that are indicators of particular issues and conditions that affect nursing facility residents. The triggers identify those potential issues and conditions that need additional assessment and review along with suggested resources, and therefore form a critical link between the MDS and care planning. Each CAT is comprised of: (1) an introduction that provides general information about the issue or condition; (2) a list of items and responses from the MDS that are considered triggers for the issue or condition; and (3) a list of resources that facilities can use in performing the assessment/review of the particular issue or condition.
It is important to note that each triggered CAT may or may not represent a condition that should be addressed in the care plan. The facility is required to evaluate each CAT and complete further assessment to guide care planning or determine that care planning is not necessary. The facility must document their decision in either case.
