MDS Coding Tips of the Month
SECTION GG0170 of the MDS – RAI Manual
GG0170I-GG0170L Walking Items
Coding Tips
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Assessment of the walking activities starts with the resident in a standing position.
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A walking activity cannot be completed without some level of resident participation that allows resident ambulation to occur for the entire stated distance. A helper cannot complete a walking activity for a resident.
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During a walking activity, a resident may take a brief standing rest break. If the resident needs to sit to rest during a Section GG walking activity, consider the resident unable to complete the walking activity and use the appropriate activity not attempted code.
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Clinicians can use clinical judgment to determine how the actual resident assessment of walking is conducted. If a clinician chooses to combine the assessment of multiple walking activities, the clinician should use clinical judgment to determine the type and amount of assistance needed for each individual activity.
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Use clinical judgment when assessing activities that overlap or occur sequentially to determine the type and amount of assistance needed for each individual activity.
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Walking activities do not need to occur during one session. Allowing a resident to rest between activities or completing activities at different times during the day or on different days may facilitate completion of the activities.
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Do not code walking activities with the use of a device that is restricted to resident use during therapy sessions (e.g., parallel bars, exoskeleton, or overhead track and harness systems).
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If the resident who participates in walking requires the assistance of two helpers to complete the activity, code 01, Dependent.
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If the only help a resident requires to complete the walking activity is for a helper to retrieve and place the walker and/or put it away after resident use, then enter code 05, Setup or clean-up assistance.
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The turns included in item GG0170J, Walk 50 feet with two turns, are 90-degree turns. The turns may be in the same direction (two 90-degree turns to the right or two 90-degree turns to the left) or may be in different directions (one 90-degree turn to the left and one 90-degree turn to the right). The 90-degree turn should occur at the person’s ability level and can include use of an assistive device (for example, cane).
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When coding GG0170K, Walk 150 feet, if the resident’s environment does not accommodate a walk of 150 feet without turns, but the resident demonstrates the ability to walk, with or without assistance, 150 feet with turns without jeopardizing the resident’s safety, code using the 6-point scale.
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When coding GG0170L, Walking 10 feet on uneven surfaces, the activity can be assessed inside or outside. Examples of uneven surfaces include uneven or sloping surfaces, turf, and gravel. Use clinical judgment to determine whether a surface is uneven.
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