Who is the guideline for?
This guideline is intended for managers and experts who utilize RAI benchmarking data. It supports the use of RAI information in frontline management, inter-organizational comparisons, and strategic service planning and development. The guideline is advisory in nature.
What is RAI benchmarking data?
RAI benchmarking data consists of information compiled from RAI (Resident Assessment Instrument) assessments of clients’ functional abilities and service needs. Benchmarking data includes summaries and averages that describe an organization’s client base, their needs, as well as service delivery and changes over time. Individual persons cannot be identified from the benchmarking data.
With RAI benchmarking data, you can monitor the development of your organization’s information and compare it with data from other organizations. Use this information to improve your organization’s operations and services, as well as for comparative development.
1. Define your objective that RAI data will help you monitor
Reflect together with your organisation’s staff on how RAI benchmarking data supports the achievement of your goals.
With RAI benchmarking data, you can:
- Examine clients’ functional ability, needs, participation, and everyday coping.
- Monitor changes in client profiles and anticipate future service needs.
- Plan services and operations according to the needs of your client base.
- Track and improve the quality of services.
- Compare your data with that of other organisations and with the national average.
Example: Your organisation aims to reduce the number of falls. The feedback report shows the proportion of clients who have fallen during the 90 days prior to the assessment. Review the time series, which offers insights into factors such as clients’ cognition, medication, and functional ability – all of which may be linked to falls.
2. Select the data product you need
Compare THL’s RAI data products using the table below. The information in the table is presented in a summarised form. More detailed descriptions of data products intended for RAI users can be found on the tabs of this guideline, and descriptions of publicly available products are provided in the Data and statistics section of the website.
Publicly available RAI benchmarking data on the functional ability and service needs of the elderly
| Data Product | Access Level* | Data Period | RAI Instrument | Purpose | Organizational Level | Perspective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAI Benchmarking Reports | RAI User | Semi-annual | Instrument-specific | Internal comparison of organisational units by instrument over two years | Unit | Provider |
| EasyRAIder Databases | RAI Partner | Semi-annual | Instrument-specific | Inter-organisational comparison by instrument over five years | Unit | Commissioner, Provider |
| RAI Database for Service Organiser | RAI Partner | Annual | interRAI-HC, RAI-HC, interRAI-LTCF, RAI-LTC, interRAI-CMH | Regional analysis by municipality and wellbeing service county over five years | Wellbeing services county, Municipality | Commissioner |
| RAI Database for Sevice Purchaser | RAI Partner | Semi-annual | interRAI-HC, RAI-HC, interRAI-LTCF, RAI-LTC | Review and comparison of outsourced service units within own wellbeing service county over five years | Unit | Commissioner |
| RAI Database for Older People’s Client Guidance | Public | Annual | interRAI-CA+HELSA, interRAI-CHA | Development of client and service guidance and monitoring of solutions | Wellbeing services county | National perspective |
| RAI Database for Regular Services for Older People | Public | Annual | interRAI-HC, RAI-HC, interRAI-LTCF, RAI-LTC | Examination of clients’ functional ability and resources at unit level nationwide over five years | Unit | National perspective |
| Functional Ability and Service Needs of Older Service Users – RAI Statistical Report | Public | Annual | interRAI-HC, RAI-HC, interRAI-LTCF, RAI-LTC | Overview of regular services for older people using RAI benchmarking data for the statistical year | Wellbeing services county | National perspective |
| Quality Recommendation RAI Indicators in Sotkanet | Public | Annual | interRAI-HC, RAI-HC, interRAI-LTCF, RAI-LTC | Monitoring of RAI indicators included in the quality recommendation from 2023 onwards | Wellbeing services county | National perspective |
*RAI User = An employee of an organisation that uses the RAI instruments.
RAI Partner = A partner in jointly funded RAI benchmarking development.
Public = A data product openly available to everyone.
3. Ensure access to the Data Product
Make sure you have the required login credentials to access and use RAI Benchmarking Reports, EasyRAIder databases, the RAI Database for Service Purchaser, and the RAI Database for Service Organiser.
You can obtain your credentials from your wellbeing services county’s designated RAI contact person. THL updates login credentials semi-annually when data is refreshed and sends new credentials by email to RAI contact persons.
Publicly available RAI benchmarking data on the functional ability and service needs of the elderly
4. Familiarise yourself with the guidelines and operating models
Using data products requires skills in filtering information, interpreting data, and applying insights effectively.
Check the database user instructions (in Finnish):
Instruction videos in the RAI online training course: TIKU – Reviewing RAI Benchmarking data (Moodle, in Finnish)
Explore operating models for using RAI data in management:
- Fair benchmarking of RAI service units (Innokylä, in Finnish)
- Using RAI Benchmarking data in reviewing and developing unit operations (Innokylä, in Finnish)
- Workshop model: Using RAI data as a tool for supervisors – supporting competence and management (Innokylä, in Finnish)
Learn the principles of using RAI data and RAI benchmarking:
- Learning materials in the RAI online training course: RAI Benchmarking Development (Moodle, in Finnish)
- Information package to support continuous RAI work: Promoting nationally equitable services for older people (Julkari, in Finnish)
5. Review and apply the data within your team
Examine the RAI benchmarking data in the data product you have selected. Analyse the figures for the indicators you need and compare their development over time. Where relevant, also compare these figures with those of similar organisations and wellbeing service counties.
Identify key observations and consider what the numbers reveal about progress towards your objectives. Share the data within your team and across your organisation. Reflect together on areas of success and potential improvement. Use these insights to inform operational planning and service development.
6. Share data with advance status in mind
The latest RAI benchmarking data provided by THL is intended for your organisation’s internal use. Your organisation gains access to the most recent, i.e., preliminary information through RAI Benchmarking Reports and other RAI benchmarking databases when they are updated.
Please note that preliminary information data may be subject to completion and correction. Review the figures carefully and report any potential errors to THL.
Your organisation may publish benchmarking data concerning itself, but information on other service providers, wellbeing service counties, and national-level data becomes public only after the release of the RAI Statistical Report for the relevant year.
The most recently published statistical report is based on RAI assessments carried out in 2024, meaning that data describing 2025 and beyond is currently considered preliminary information.
THL's role
THL maintains the Resident Assessment Instruments (RAI) for evaluating functional capacity and service needs in Finland. These instruments support the implementation of the Act on Care Services for Older Persons and are intended for comprehensive assessments. Under the Act on Care Services for Older Persons, THL ensures that the RAI instruments and training for its use are available to the wellbeing services counties. As part of its statutory duties, THL also collects data from RAI assessments and produces benchmarking data from them to support the management and development of services.
