Mission
To enable healthcare providers and related entities to document the outcomes, processes, and perceptions of care in uniform ways.
Vision
- To be the internationally recognized expert in outcomes measurement by providing uniform and unbiased information that documents healthcare quality, including results, processes, and perceptions of care.
- To provide a common language for communication across disciplines and to provide a basis for comparison of healthcare outcomes.
- To conduct and disseminate research that supports evidence-based practices.
- To develop strategic partnerships to promote synergies within and benefits to healthcare organizations.
UDSMR® Databases
In 1988, UDSMR began data collection and reporting services for facilities that provide comprehensive medical rehabilitation services for adults. Currently, this database includes over thirteen million patient assessments. Research using the FIM® instrument and changes in the delivery of rehabilitation services have led to the development of other adult rehabilitation databases for subacute care programs, Veterans Affairs rehabilitation units, and acute medical/surgical care units. In addition, a pediatric data set has been developed for inpatient and outpatient pediatric settings. This data set uses the WeeFIM® instrument as the measure of disability. Translations of the Guide for the Uniform Data Set for Medical Rehabilitation (Including the FIM® Instrument) have fostered the development of the international rehabilitation database. Various versions of the guide have been translated into:
- Australian
- French
- Italian
- Korean
- Spanish
- Finnish
- German
- Japanese
- Portuguese
- Swedish
The large number of patient records in the databases has permitted the tracking of attributes such as case mix, patient age, length of stay, functional status on admission and at discharge, and the percentage of patients discharged to the community. This data provides information that can be used to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of rehabilitation services. The aggregate data serves as a reference point for outcomes against which facilities can compare their own performance across the United States and internationally.
