Step-by-Step Coding Guide for Item Set F0500C: Resident Interview - Be Around Animals/Pets

1. Review of Medical Records

• Objective: Gather accurate information regarding the resident’s interest and activity in being around animals or pets.
• Steps:
  1. Collect Information: Review the resident’s comprehensive medical records, including social work notes, activity logs, care plans, and previous assessments.
  2. Identify Animal/Pet-Related Activity: Look for documented instances of the resident’s interest in and engagement with animals or pets, such as participation in pet therapy sessions or mentions in care plans.
  3. Confirm Details: Verify the consistency and accuracy of the documentation through various sources within the medical records.

2. Understanding Definitions

• Be Around Animals/Pets: The activity of the resident spending time with or being in the presence of animals or pets. This can include therapy animals, visiting pets, or resident pets within the facility.
• Key Points:
  • The activity can be passive (watching or being near animals) or active (petting, feeding, playing with animals).
  • The frequency and enjoyment of engaging with animals should be considered during the assessment.

3. Coding Instructions

• Steps:
  1. Conduct Interview: During the assessment period, ask the resident about their interest in and frequency of being around animals or pets.
  2. Evaluate Participation: Determine how often the resident is around animals/pets based on their response.
  3. Code Appropriately: Use the following scale to code the resident’s participation in being around animals/pets:
     • 0: Never
     • 1: Rarely or some of the time
     • 2: Frequently or all of the time

4. Coding Tips

• Accurate Questioning: Ensure the questions about being around animals/pets are asked clearly and in a way the resident can understand.
• Clarify Definitions: Make sure the resident understands what is meant by “being around animals/pets.”
• Consistent Terminology: Use consistent terminology and phrasing when documenting and coding the resident’s animal/pet-related activity.

5. Documentation

• Required:
  • Interview Notes: Document the resident’s responses during the interview, including details about their interest in and frequency of being around animals/pets.
  • Staff Reports: Include reports from staff members detailing their observations and interactions with the resident regarding animal/pet-related activities.
  • Activity Logs: Records of the resident’s participation in scheduled animal/pet-related activities or personal interactions with animals.

6. Common Errors to Avoid

• Misclassification: Ensure accurate classification by verifying the resident’s interest in and engagement with animals/pets through multiple observations and interviews.
• Incomplete Documentation: Make sure all relevant details about the resident’s animal/pet-related activity are thoroughly documented.
• Assumptions: Do not assume the resident’s interest in or frequency of being around animals/pets without proper documentation and verification.

7. Practical Application

• Example:
  • Resident Profile: Mary, an 82-year-old resident, enjoys spending time with the facility’s therapy dog.
  • Steps:
    1. Conduct Interview: The nurse asks Mary about her interest in and frequency of being around animals/pets during the assessment period.
    2. Evaluate Response: Mary reports that she frequently spends time with the therapy dog and enjoys petting and playing with the animal.
    3. Document and Code: The nurse documents Mary’s responses and codes F0500C as "2".
  • Outcome: Mary’s interest in and frequency of being around animals/pets are 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 F0500C 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.