Overview
The Acuity Tools available in Clarity are intended to assist with determining the appropriate level of Case Management to be provided. The Acuity Tools assess multiple areas of a client's life and current situation (e.g. areas of functioning). Each area of functioning is assessed by choosing a description that best describes the client's situation. Each description produces an individual score which is used to produce a single score between 1 and 5, with 1 being the least reliant on assistance and 5 being the most reliant on assistance. It is important to note that these tools are provided as a useful guide but not as a determining factor by themselves.
This article includes:
- How to access Acuity Tools in Clarity
- How to use Acuity Tools
- How Acuity Tools are scored
- Suggested actions based on the overall acuity score (as reported on the original PSH Acuity Tool, based on the Case Management Levels as described by the Veteran's Health Administration Directive 1162.05).
Accessing the Acuity Tools
Acuity Tools are assessments that can be accessed on the program level.
1. First, find the client through the client 'SEARCH' or from the 'CASELOAD' link and click into the client record (skip to step 4 if accessing the client's enrollment record from the 'Caseload' tab).
2. From the client search, click into the client profile and click on 'Programs.'.
3. Click the edit icon next to the desired project (skip to step 4 if accessing the client's enrollment record from the 'Caseload' tab).
4. Click on the 'Assessments' tab then click the start button next to the available Acuity Tool (confirm the appropriate Acuity tool with your supervisor if needed).
Using Acuity Tools
Areas of Functioning
The Acuity Tools help case managers to evaluate different areas of functioning, such as life skills, medical history, income, etc. Each Acuity Tool includes slightly different of areas of functioning.
For each area of functioning, case managers should choose from the 5 descriptions that best describe the participant's current situation. The first option will reflect the lowest level of reliance on assistance for that area. The fifth option will reflect the highest reliance on assistance. If a participant's situation falls in between two categories, choose the more acute/reliant option. If a question does not apply, answer with the lowest scored or least reliant option. Every question must be answered.
Suggested Actions Based on Acuity
Suggested next steps display for areas that reflect a reliance on assistance (descriptions 2 - 5).
Optional Score Override
At the end of the assessment, case managers are given the option to use a calculated score (described in more detail below) or manually assign an overall score.
If a case manager chooses 'Use Calculated Score' from the 'Optional Score Override' option list, the 'Overall Acuity Score' will display based on the data entered for each functional area.
Case managers can also choose to override the calculated score by choosing the score manually.
Recommended case management levels will display once the score is determined.
Scoring and Case Management Level
As noted previously, answers associated with each functioning area are associated with a score. The Overall Acuity Score is calculated by averaging the sum of each functioning area, however, an overall score of of 5 will be given if a client is given a score of 5 in ANY of the critical areas. Please note, critical areas of functioning may vary based on the Acuity Tool used.
The 'Overall Acuity Score' is used the recommended Case Management Level with a Level 1 indicating greater independence and a Level 5 requiring more intensive support:
- Level 5 - Intensive
- Level 4 - Stabilization
- Level 3 - Maintenance
- Level 2 - Preparation for Discharge
- Level 1 - Graduation/Discharge
Although overall acuity scores determined using this tool can assist with determining the appropriate Case Management Level, good clinical judgement needs to be a factor in the final determination.
If your program does not currently have access to the Acuity Tool and would like to, please contact HMISsupport@end-homelessness.org.
Contact Us
If you need help, or wish to offer suggestions or feedback, please contact the Cincinnati/Hamilton County HMIS Support team at HMISsupport@end-homelessness.org or by calling 513-263-2790 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
When contacting HMIS Support about a particular client, please do not send sensitive personally identifiable information (Sensitive PII) through email, such as full name, social security number, or any other information used to determine a person's identification. Instead, please send the Clarity Unique Identifier found on the client's Clarity Profile page. You can use the messaging system in Clarity if you need to send sensitive personally identifying information.