Brant Fries and his Michigan team have, over the last few months, constructed a new interRAI "Algorithms Matrix", as the definitive authority on all interRAI algorithms. All approved interRAI algorithms (scales, screeners, risk algorithms, and CAPs) are listed in the matrix. The matrix also indicates which algorithms are required for which assessment instrument.

In addition, the iMATRIX - the primary data dictionary for all interRAI items and the "iCODE" names - has been augmented to include information on the items used for each algorithm.

Together, the Algorithms Matrix and the iMATRIX should be an invaluable guide for interRAI Fellows, researchers and software vendors. This constitutes a massive amount of work. Brant and his staff are to be congratulated for making all of our lives easier!

These matrices are not immediately available to the general public. However, they will be made available to licensed users of interRAI systems, either for research or for general use.  

Instruments in Development  

interRAI 0-3: Assessing Development in Early Life 

Despite the relentless emphasis on early identification, intervention and prevention, most mental health and developmental assessment systems and instruments have been developed with a major focus on older youth and adults. Untreated mental health and developmental problems are linked to significant negative outcomes later in life including premature school termination, criminality, low income and poor overall health. Early identification and intervention can reduce the likelihood of future impairment.  

• The interRAI 0-3 provides a comprehensive assessment for children at the earliest stages of life to improve early identification, triaging and prioritization of high-risk infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
• Use in multiple settings for children with developmental and mental health needs
• Community-based or inpatient services
• Families of infants, toddlers and children up to 3 years, 11 months identified as being at-risk of poor outcomes due to individual or family needs
• Assesses infant/toddler/preschooler and family needs to support care planning
• Assesses developmental, behavioral or emotional needs

The interRAI 0-3 will assist in the early identification of developmental problems and risk factors associated with the development of future mental health issues. It has been designed to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach to the prevention or treatment of such problems in very young children. As part of the interRAI Child and Youth suite of instruments, this assessment system will enable health care providers across the different sectors to understand and connect the current and future health needs of high-risk children, facilitating referrals to and provision of early intervention and preventive services. The interRAI 0-3 is currently approved as an "alpha version" - suitable for field testing. For further information, contact Shannon Stewart at sstewa24@uwo.ca.  

BlackBerry Limited, a global leader in mobile communications, will provide software and support to interRAI Canada to assist them in developing mobile versions of intake screening and questionnaires for healthcare running on BlackBerry's secure end-to-end mobile solution. These custom screening applications will mobilize assessment tools and assist interRAI Canada in their studies. The applications will be developed for the BlackBerry 10 platform and leverage the end-to-end security provided by BES12, a cross-platform EMM solution by BlackBerry®, to improve outcomes in acute care and mental health for patients.  

 More... 

New content has been published in the portal, with more content in production due to be released soon.

In 2015, interRAI published the Pediatric Home Care (PEDS-HC) Assessment Form and User's Manual and the Canadian French version of the Community Mental Health (CMH) Assessment Form and User's Manual:  Santé mentale en milieu communautaire (SMMC).    

In production now are the Child and Youth Mental Health (ChYMH) Assessment Forms and User's Manual with the Adolescent Supplement, the ChYMH Collaborative Action Plans (CAPs), and the Brief Mental Health Screener (BMHS) Assessment Forms and User's Manual, which will be produced in three editions, English stand-alone, French stand-alone, and interRAI's first dual-language "flip book" with English on one side and French on the other.    

If you have any comments, concerns, or wishes concerning the portal, don't hesitate to drop us an email at orders@interrai.org.