• CIHI can help your organization identify differences between older and newer interRAI standards.
• CIHI provides mappings and specifications for outputs.
• CIHI can help your organization develop a project plan for implementing the interRAI assessment system.
• CIHI provides ongoing education and job aids.
• CIHI can help you grow your supportive network by connecting you with other organizations that have already implemented interRAI assessments.
• CIHI can also provide ongoing support and expertise.

Conduct a readiness assessment by asking yourself the following questions.

• Where is your organization now when it comes to using interRAI assessments? Identifying the stage you are at will help you determine the scope of your implementation planning.
  • If you are currently using interRAI assessments but thinking about transitioning to a newer interRAI assessment system, the following may be helpful. 
    • interRAI Contact Assessment: What’s Different (PDF)
    • interRAI Home Care: What’s Different (PDF)
    • interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities: What’s Different (PDF)
• Are the interRAI assessment outputs being used to their fullest capacity in your organization?
  • Are they being used to plan care?
  • Are they being used for quality improvement purposes?
• Does the software support interRAI instruments?
• If using a commercial vendor product, has the software passed CIHI’s testing requirements?
• Are there competing priorities that may delay or put resource pressure on this implementation project?

Consider all that’s involved and assess your organization’s level of readiness to achieve the results, do the work and complete the project!

It may be helpful to develop a process pathway to map out your steps. 

You may also want to put together a project charter to help guide the transition.

Who has ownership/accountability for implementation — now and moving forward?

• Consider putting in place a governance and accountability structure or framework.
• A framework should be based on your organization’s configuration and should clearly outline who will take responsibility for future decisions related to resources and timelines.

How often will you evaluate? How will that be done? What will you evaluate and what measures will you use?

• Measuring client care: interRAI outcome scales and Clinical Assessment Protocols (CAPs) can be used to flag clinical issues, improve care planning and delivery of care, and provide a better quality of life.
• Measuring quality: Information from interRAI quality indicators can be used for peer comparisons and benchmarking.
• Measuring staff readiness and communication: The interRAI assessment system allows staff to engage in their full scope of practice, so improvements can be seen in team functioning, communication and morale.

What is needed to support the new system moving forward?

• Meeting ongoing education needs
• Resources (e.g., people, budget)
• Clearly defined expectations and timelines
• Collaboration, networks and activity hubs/communities of practice
• A move toward an electronic health record