MDS Coding Tips of the Month
SECTION F0300 of the MDS – RAI Manual
Should Interview for Daily and Activity Preferences Be Conducted?
Coding Tips
- If the resident needs an interpreter, every effort should be made to have an interpreter present for the MDS clinical interview. If it is not possible for a needed interpreter to be present on the day of the interview, and a family member or significant other is not available for interview, code F0300 = 0 to indicate interview not attempted, and complete the Staff Assessment of Daily and Activity Preferences (F0800) instead of the interview with the resident (F0400 and F0500).
- If the resident interview was not conducted within the look-back period of the ARD, item F0300 must be coded 1, Yes, and the standard “no information” code (a dash “-“) entered in the resident interview items.
- Do not complete the Staff Assessment of Daily and Activity Preferences items (F0700-F0800) if the resident interview should have been conducted, but was not done.
SECTION F0400 of the MDS – RAI Manual
Interview for Daily Preferences
Coding Tips
- The interview is considered incomplete if the resident gives nonsensical responses or fails to respond to 3 or more of the 16 items in F0400 and F0500. If the interview is stopped because it is considered incomplete, and there is no family member or significant other to assist in completing the interview, fill the remaining F0400 and F0500 items with a 9 and proceed to F0600, Daily Activity Preferences Primary Respondent.
- The resident, family member or significant other is being asked about current preferences while in the nursing home but is not limited to a 7-day period to convey what these preferences are.
- The facility is still obligated to complete the interview within the observation period.
SECTION F0500 of the MDS – RAI Manual
Interview for Activity Preferences
Coding Tips
- See coding tips for F0400. Coding tips include those for daily preferences.
- Include Braille and or audio recorded material when coding items in F0500A.
SECTION F0700 of the MDS – RAI Manual
Should the Staff Assessment of Daily and Activity Preferences Be Conducted?
Coding Tip
- If the total number of unanswered questions in F0400 through F0500 is equal to 3 or more, the interview is considered incomplete.
Symbria is committed to maintaining a high standard and level of communication with our clients and employees regarding clinical education, MDS understanding, patient assessment, and coding efficiency. As a result, MDS Insights was born. In this monthly offering, we hope to provide some valuable information that can foster a quality level of care that meets the needs of the patients that we serve.