LeadingAge NY Submits Comments on Future of PRI

LeadingAge NY responded to the Department of Health's (DOH) Request for Information on the future of the Patient Review Instrument (PRI) yesterday, noting that a majority of members that provided comments believe that the PRI should be eliminated. Members that supported the elimination of the PRI indicated that the form adds little value to the admission process because it is too often inaccurate, out-of-date, or incomplete. These members typically pursue more accurate information from alternative sources, such as hospital electronic health records, their regional health information organizations, other electronic platforms, and the prospective resident and his/her caregivers. Members also noted the delays in admissions occasioned by the shortage of PRI-certified nurses and the expense that must be incurred by prospective residents living in the community to engage a PRI-certified nurse. LeadingAge NY pointed out that if the PRI were eliminated, the PRI questions that are referenced in the SCREEN form would have to be incorporated into the SCREEN.

As indicated in the LeadingAge NY comments, a minority of members would like DOH to continue to require the form because it provides a convenient snapshot of prospective residents. They noted that, in the absence of the PRI, admissions decisions would be more labor-intensive, as admissions staff would have to comb through other data sources to collect the necessary information to determine whether the admission would be appropriate.

LeadingAge NY suggested that if the Department decides to retain the use of the PRI, it should modify its policies to:

• Permit nurses who are not 'PRI-certified' to complete the form;
• Eliminate the PRI requirement for Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) residents who are transitioning into the CCRC nursing home; and
• Permit registered nurses employed by adult care facilities or their related home care agencies to conduct the PRI for their residents.

The complete text of the LeadingAge NY comments is available here.

Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 124