D0500C2: PHQ Staff: Trouble with Sleep - Frequency, Step-by-Step

Step-by-Step Coding Guide for Item Set D0500C2: PHQ Staff: Trouble with Sleep - Frequency

1. Review of Medical Records

• Objective: Gather accurate information about the resident’s sleep patterns and any reported trouble with sleep.
• Steps:
  1. Collect Information: Review the resident's medical records, including nursing notes, physician notes, and previous assessments.
  2. Sleep Documentation: Identify any documented sleep disturbances or issues related to sleep reported by the resident or observed by staff.
  3. Medication Records: Check for any medications prescribed for sleep disturbances or related conditions.

2. Understanding Definitions

• Trouble with Sleep: Refers to any difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing poor quality sleep.
• Frequency: The number of days the resident reports trouble with sleep over a specified period.
• PHQ-9: The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a tool used to assess depression, which includes questions about sleep disturbances.

3. Coding Instructions

• Steps:
  1. Conduct the Interview: Ask the resident about their sleep patterns using the PHQ-9 questionnaire.
  2. Record the Frequency: Determine how often the resident reports trouble with sleep in the last 2 weeks.
  3. Code Appropriately:
     • 0: Not at all
     • 1: Several days
     • 2: More than half the days
     • 3: Nearly every day

4. Coding Tips

• Consistent Interviewing: Ensure the interview is conducted consistently to obtain reliable responses.
• Clarify Questions: If the resident does not understand, clarify the question without leading them to a particular answer.
• Use of Aids: Use visual aids or examples if necessary to help the resident understand the frequency options.

5. Documentation

• Required:
  • Interview Notes: Record the exact question asked and the resident’s verbatim response.
  • Sleep Logs: If available, include logs showing the resident’s sleep patterns.
  • Care Plan: Document how the resident’s sleep issues are addressed in their care plan.

6. Common Errors to Avoid

• Leading Questions: Avoid asking leading questions that might influence the resident’s response.
• Incomplete Documentation: Ensure all aspects of the resident’s response and relevant sleep disturbances are thoroughly documented.
• Assumptions: Do not assume the resident’s sleep patterns; always ask directly.

7. Practical Application

• Example:
  • Resident Profile: John, a 75-year-old resident, reports difficulty sleeping several nights a week.
  • Steps:
    1. Review Records: The nurse reviews John’s medical records and notes his complaints about sleep disturbances.
    2. Conduct Interview: The nurse asks John, “How often have you had trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much in the last two weeks?”
    3. Record Response: John responds, “About half the days.”
    4. Document and Code: The nurse documents John’s response and codes D0500C2 as "2".
  • Outcome: John’s sleep disturbance frequency is accurately documented and coded, ensuring proper follow-up and care planning.

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item set D0500C2 was originally based on the CMS's RAI Version 3.0 Manual, October 2023 edition. Every effort will be made to update it to the most current version. The MDS 3.0 Manual is typically updated every October. If there are no changes to the Item Set, there will be no changes to this guide. This guidance is intended to assist healthcare professionals, particularly new nurses or MDS coordinators, in understanding and applying the correct coding procedures for this specific item within MDS 3.0. 

The guide is not a substitute for professional judgment or the facility’s policies. It is crucial to stay updated with any changes or updates in the MDS 3.0 manual or relevant CMS regulations. The guide does not cover all potential scenarios and should not be used as a sole resource for MDS 3.0 coding. 

Additionally, this guide refrains from handling personal patient data and does not provide medical or legal advice. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective practices.