A Rapid Review of International Evaluations of interRAI Systems

The implementation of interRAI systems is often influenced by factors including healthcare priorities, policy and service requirements, fragmentation of care systems, and existing data standards. Utilizing a rapid review methodology, PubMed was searched for publications, and senior fellows in countries that implemented or piloted interRAI systems shared reports with a total of 40 papers retained and reviewed. Strengths, barriers, and recommendations were extracted. Comprehensive standardized instruments, solid psychometric properties, and the multiple uses of assessment information were noted as strengths. The most frequently cited barrier was lack of infrastructure, related to technological infrastructure and education/training. This review offers lessons to facilitate successful implementation of interRAI systems. Resource allocation to support hiring of staff, education/training, and the purchasing of information and technology solutions; and technology infrastructure to reduce the burden of assessment and support the continuity of care across care settings were among the top recommendations provided in this review.