Development of Minimum Data Set-based Individualized Care Pathways for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment in Nursing Home Residents

Assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) severity in nursing home (NH) residents is limited by data requirements and lack of specialty staff, equipment, or resident ability. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) is a clinical assessment of functional capabilities and health needs completed for all NH residents in Medicare and/or Medicaid-certified long-term care homes. The objective of this study was to develop a map from the MDS to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) A-D staging of COPD severity to aid the selection of COPD treatment for NH residents.