E1000B: Wandering - Intrude on Privacy of Others, Step-by-Step

Step-by-Step Coding Guide for E1000B: Wandering – "Intrude on Privacy of Others"

1. Review of Medical Records

Objective: Determine whether the resident’s wandering behavior during the look-back period significantly intruded on the privacy or activities of others.

Actions:

• Review staff documentation and nursing notes for reports of the resident wandering into other residents' private spaces.
• Interview staff or caregivers to gather insights on how often the resident's wandering behavior caused disruptions or privacy intrusions.

2. Understanding Definitions

E1000B: Wandering – Intrude on Privacy of Others assesses whether the resident’s wandering behavior has violated others’ privacy or disrupted their activities (e.g., walking into other residents’ rooms uninvited or interfering with their daily activities).

Example Scenarios:

• Resident A: Uses a wheelchair to move into another resident's room without permission, blocking access to the bathroom. This is coded as 1: Yes, as it is a clear intrusion on another resident’s privacy.
• Resident B: Walks through common areas but does not enter other residents’ rooms or disturb their activities. This would be coded as 0: No.

3. Coding Instructions

Step-by-Step:

• Step 1: Observe or review documentation for any instances where the resident’s wandering led to privacy intrusions.
• Step 2: Based on the observations and staff reports, select the appropriate code:
  • 1: Yes – The resident’s wandering behavior intrudes on others' privacy or activities.
  • 0: No – The resident’s wandering does not intrude on others' privacy or activities.

4. Coding Tips

• Clear Examples: An intrusion includes wandering into another resident’s room uninvited, interfering with activities, or blocking access to personal spaces.
• No Complaints Required: The intrusion can be coded as Yes even if the affected resident does not complain about the intrusion.

5. Documentation

Objective: Ensure proper documentation of the resident's wandering behavior and its impact on other residents' privacy or daily activities.

Actions:

• Record specific incidents of wandering that led to privacy intrusions, including dates and descriptions of the behavior.
• Ensure that this information is part of the resident's care plan for better management of wandering behaviors.

6. Common Errors to Avoid

• Ignoring Minor Incidents: Even if the resident does not receive complaints from others, wandering into private spaces should still be documented and coded appropriately.
• Confusing Wandering with Pacing: Ensure that behaviors like pacing, which do not intrude on others, are not incorrectly coded as wandering intrusions.

7. Practical Application

Example 1:
A resident enters the room of another resident and begins handling personal belongings without permission. This behavior should be coded as 1: Yes.

Example 2:
A resident wanders around the hallways but does not enter private spaces or disturb other residents. This would be coded as 0: No.

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item set E1000B 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.