Care Area Triggers (CATs) are used to identify residents who have or are at risk for developing what?

Care Area Triggers (CATs) are used to identify residents who have or are at risk for developing what?

• A. To document medical orders
• B. To replace MDS
• C. To manage staffing
• D. To identify residents who have or are at risk for developing specific functional problems and require further assessment

Answer: (D)

Care Area Triggers identify residents who either have a functional problem or are at risk of developing one, and they prompt a deeper assessment in that area. When a trigger is activated, the team conducts a focused evaluation to understand the issue, its severity, and contributing factors, so a targeted care plan can be developed to prevent or address the problem. They aren’t used to document medical orders, replace the MDS, or manage staffing; instead, they guide timely, specific assessments and interventions. For example, a trigger related to mobility risk would lead to a mobility-focused assessment and potential PT recommendations or assistive devices to prevent decline.

Care Area Triggers identify residents who either have a functional problem or are at risk of developing one, and they prompt a deeper assessment in that area. When a trigger is activated, the team conducts a focused evaluation to understand the issue, its severity, and contributing factors, so a targeted care plan can be developed to prevent or address the problem. They aren’t used to document medical orders, replace the MDS, or manage staffing; instead, they guide timely, specific assessments and interventions. For example, a trigger related to mobility risk would lead to a mobility-focused assessment and potential PT recommendations or assistive devices to prevent decline.