Understanding interRAI LTCF, interRAI HC and interRAI CA
What are the interRAI assessments?
All interRAI instruments have core assessment items and use standardized language. This means that health information can be shared across sectors, organizations and jurisdictions in a consistent and reliable way.
The new enhanced and updated suite of interRAI assessment instruments
- Is more clinically relevant and easier to use
- Improves standardization by assessing a person’s status and needs using common criteria and language
- Provides clinical outputs to assist with care planning and resource allocation
- Improves the quality of care across health systems
- Provides evidence that is highly relevant to key questions facing decision-makers
- Allows for comparison of assessment data across provinces, territories and nations
Types and timelines
interRAI assessment types and timelines for interRAI LTCF, interRAI HC and interRAI CA.
Discharge practices
Considerations for completing a discharge assessment or tracking for long-term care or home care.
interRAI outputs
Types of outputs provided by completion of interRAI CA, interRAI HC and interRAI LTCF assessments.
Coding considerations
Guidance on coding for disease diagnoses, ICD-10-CA codes, medications and hospital settings.
What is the interRAI Contact Assessment (interRAI CA) assessment?
The interRAI CA is an assessment instrument that is used as a screener for home care intakes and referrals. The interRAI CA user’s manual can be purchased through the interRAI Catalog.
The interRAI CA assessment is an updated version of the Home Care Reporting System (HCRS) version, or HCRS-CA. You can refer to CIHI’s interRAI CA: What’s Different (PDF) job aid for information on clinical contrasts to the HCRS-CA.
What is the interRAI Home Care (interRAI HC) assessment?
The interRAI HC is a comprehensive, standardized instrument for evaluating the needs, strengths and preferences of those who require home care services. The interRAI HC user’s manual can be purchased through the interRAI Catalog.
The interRAI HC assessment is a new assessment replacing the Resident Assessment Instrument–Home Care (RAI-HC). You can refer to CIHI’s interRAI HC: What’s Different (PDF) job aid for information on clinical contrasts to the RAI-HC.
What is the interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities (interRAI LTCF) assessment?
The interRAI LTCF is a comprehensive, standardized instrument for evaluating the needs, strengths and preferences of those in a LTC facility. The interRAI LTCF user’s manual can be purchased through the interRAI Catalog.
The interRAI LTCF assessment is a new assessment replacing the Resident Assessment Instrument–Minimum Data Set 2.0 (RAI-MDS 2.0). You can refer to CIHI’s interRAI LTCF: What’s Different (PDF) job aid for information on clinical contrasts to the RAI-MDS 2.0.
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For general questions
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How to cite:
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Understanding interRAI LTCF, interRAI HC and interRAI CA. Accessed April 24, 2025.
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