CIHI supports a suite of Resource Utilization Groups version III (RUG-III) grouping methodologies for the long-term care and hospital-based continuing care sectors.
Overview of the methodology
RUG-III grouping methodologies use information collected through interRAI assessments to categorize long-term care residents into specific groups based on their clinical and resource use similarities. RUG-III can be used to better understand the characteristics of resident populations and to support planning, quality improvement and resource allocation.
The Resource Utilization Groups version III (RUG-III) methodology is used with CIHI’s Continuing Care Reporting System (CCRS). The RUG-III methodology is applied to individuals in long-term care facilities and hospital-based continuing care beds, based on assessments collected using the Resident Assessment Instrument–Minimum Data Set 2.0 (RAI-MDS 2.0).
To align with CIHI’s standards strategy — and the goal of sunsetting CCRS and moving to a single assessment and reporting standard — CIHI will be supporting 1 standard grouper for long-term care. The Resource Utilization Groups version III Plus (RUG-III Plus) methodology includes updates to the RUG-III (44-group) grouping methodology as well as new Case Mix Index (CMI) values that better reflect Canada’s residential care population. CIHI collaborated with stakeholders in Canadian jurisdictions and interRAI researchers to make the updates.
The RUG-III Plus grouping methodology applies to assessments collected using the interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities (interRAI LTCF) instrument and submitted to the Integrated interRAI Reporting System (IRRS).
Get an overview of the RUG-III Plus methodology’s clinical structure and how group codes are assigned:
- RUG-III Plus Grouping Methodology (information sheet) (PDF)
- Resource Utilization Groups version III Plus (RUG-III Plus) Grouping Methodology (job aid) (PDF)
Learn about the key differences between RUG-III and RUG-III Plus:
Currently, CIHI supports the Ontario-specific RUG-III (34-group) grouping methodology and associated CMI values, which apply to Ontario long-term care data in CCRS. Learn about the differences between the RUG-III (34-group) and RUG-III (44-group) methodologies:
Accessing the methodologies
Download the RUG-III Plus grouping methodology’s specifications for interRAI LTCF assessments and CMI values (IRRS):
- Resource Utilization Groups III (RUG-III) Plus (44-Group) Grouping Methodology: Flowcharts, SAS Code and CMI Values, IRRS Version (download)
Download the RUG-III Plus grouping methodology’s specifications for RAI-MDS 2.0 assessments and CMI values (CCRS):
Download the RUG-III (44-group) grouping methodology’s specifications for RAI-MDS 2.0 assessments and CMI values (CCRS):
Download the Ontario-specific RUG-III (34-group) grouping methodology’s specifications for RAI-MDS 2.0 assessments and CMI values (CCRS):
Methodology in action
Organizations summarize and use the RUG-III groups and associated CMI values to guide decisions about program planning and resource allocation.
RAI-MDS 2.0–based resource indicators are reported through our eReporting Data Reporting Tool.
interRAI LTCF–based resource indicators are reported through our IRRS LTC Secure Reporting tool.
For information on how RUG-III is used to support evidence-based decision-making, please refer to the following resources:
- RUG-III Plus Decision-Support Guide (PPT)
- In Focus With HCC — What Can You Do With Case-Mix Systems? (PPTX)
In Ontario, RUG-III Weighted Patient Day (RWPD) summary reports are produced for complex continuing care and long-term care facilities. RWPD reports provide resident- and facility-level CMI values and patient days reports to measure the overall resources used for a given time period. These resource indicators are used by health care organizations and the ministry to inform resource allocation and funding. To understand the RWPD methodology and how to interpret facility RWPD reports, please refer to following:
Education materials
The following courses will help you learn how to apply the suite of RUG-III methodologies. Register today in CIHI’s Learning Centre.
- Using Case Mix to Support LTC Funding
- Using RUG-III Plus to Compare Residential Care Organizations
- Using RUG-III Plus to Address Policy and Planning: Residential Care
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