Comprehensive Assessment Instruments

The AC is for adults admitted to the acute care setting. It identifies clinical, functional, and psychosocial problems, including syndromes such as delirium, dementia, and under-nutrition, and patients at risk of adverse events.

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The AC-CGA supports geriatric consultation services across acute care settings. It captures the entire episode of care with pre-morbid, admission, ongoing review, and discharge assessments.

The CRA instrument, currently being finalized, is for persons receiving rehabilitation in community settings. It combines self-report and clinical assessment strategies, thus lessening assessment burden and engaging the person more fully in the rehabilitation experience.

The PAC is for in-patient rehabilitation and post-acute settings. It can also be used for patients coming directly from the community.

The CU addresses the needs and status of persons living independently in the community. It may be used in primary care, outpatient clinics or programs designed to keep older people healthy and active. The CU has an interviewer version and a self-reported version.

The CHA supports assessment of older and disabled adults living in a range of settings, from independent residences to assisted living. The CHA is designed to minimize the assessment process. Everyone receives the core assessment; only those with specific issues will trigger one or more supplements. 

Supplements (can be used with other instruments as well):

• The interRAI Functional Supplement
• The interRAI Mental Health Supplement
• The interRAI Assisted Living Supplement
• The interRAI Deafblind Supplement

The HC evaluates the needs, strengths, and preferences of persons in home and community care settings. It focuses on the person’s functioning and quality of life and facilitates referrals. The HC can be used to assess persons with chronic needs for care as well as those with post-acute care needs.

The ID assesses the needs, strengths, and preferences of persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It is intended to be used with adults of all ages in community, residential, and institutional settings.

The LTCF evaluates the needs, strengths, and preferences of persons in chronic care settings, e.g., nursing homes. The assessment measures key domains of function, mental and physical health, social support, and service use.

The PC assesses the needs, strengths, and preferences of persons in palliative care or hospice. It is suitable for use in both community-based and facility-based programs. The PC provides a full assessment, while the Palliative Care Hospice (PC-H) is designed for persons with a short-term prognosis.

The ChYMH is the main tool in the Child and Youth Suite of instruments in community and mental health settings (age 4 to 18 years). The Adolescent Supplement is completed for youth 12+ years of age.

The ChYMH is primarily designed for children up to age 18 years, but can be used up to age 21. Conversely, the interRAI CMH and ID are primarily designed for adults 18 and over. The decision of which instrument to use – children or adult – for those 18 to 21 can based on the services accessed. For example, for a youth accessing services within a high school or when other children assessments have been done prior, the youth assessment systems are recommended. However, if a person aged 18 to 21 is first being assessed and can be expected to continue receiving services in coming years, it would be better to begin with the adult instruments.

The ChYMH-DD is for children and youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities in community and mental health care settings. The Adolescent Supplement is completed for youth 12+ years of age.

The ChYMH-DD is primarily designed for children up to age 18 years, but can be used up to age 21. Conversely, the interRAI CMH and ID are primarily designed for adults 18 and over. The decision of which instrument to use – children or adult – for those 18 to 21 can based on the services accessed. For example, for a youth accessing services within a high school or when other children assessments have been done prior, the youth assessment systems are recommended. However, if a person aged 18 to 21 is first being assessed and can be expected to continue receiving services in coming years, it would be better to begin with the adult instruments.

The PEDS-HC targets children with special health care challenges. It assesses the care needs of children and youth (age 4 to 20 years) who are seeking or receiving long-term supports and services.

The AS is a companion to the CMH and MH. It evaluates the needs of persons with substance use and comorbid mental ill-health. The AS helps in understanding the severity of addiction.

No separate Manual published: use CMH manual

The CMH is a standardized assessment system for clinicians in community mental health settings. This instrument is designed to incorporate the person’s needs, strengths, and preferences when assessing the key domains of function, mental and physical health, social support, and service use.

The ESP is for acute mental health emergency screening with a 24-hour observation period. It can be used in hospital settings, emergency departments, and mobile crisis teams. The ESP focuses on the immediate presence of risk and safety (e.g., harm to self, others).

The FS is designed specifically to be used in jails, correctional centers, and prisons. The FS measures mental health symptoms and related care needs of inmates.

No separate Manual published: use MH manual

The MH evaluates the needs, strengths, and preferences of adults with mental illness in in-patient psychiatric settings. It assesses key domains of function, mental and physical health, social support, and service use.