Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0170G1: Car Transfer (Admission Performance)

Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0170G1: Car Transfer (Admission Performance)

Introduction

Purpose:
MDS Item GG0170G1 evaluates a resident’s ability to transfer in and out of a car seat at admission. This helps establish a mobility baseline and supports individualized care planning.

What is MDS Item GG0170G1?

Explanation:
GG0170G1 assesses the assistance a resident needs to transfer from a wheelchair or standing position into a car seat at admission. The item focuses purely on the physical transfer and excludes tasks like opening car doors or fastening seat belts.

Guidelines for Coding GG0170G1

Coding Instructions:
Code the item using the six-point scale:

• 06 (Independent)
• 05 (Setup or clean-up assistance)
• 04 (Supervision or touching assistance)
• 03 (Partial/moderate assistance)
• 02 (Substantial/maximal assistance)
• 01 (Dependent)

Example Scenario:
Resident W uses a wheelchair and needs lifting assistance to transfer into the car seat. Code GG0170G1 as 02 (Substantial/maximal assistance).

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Documentation:

Document the resident’s usual performance within the first three days of admission, ensuring accuracy in capturing their mobility baseline.

Communication:

Work with interdisciplinary team members to ensure consistent documentation and assessment of car transfers.

Training:

Train staff on how to assess and document car transfers objectively, using the six-point scale.

Conclusion

Summary:
Properly coding GG0170G1 at admission ensures that the resident’s mobility abilities are well understood, guiding care plans for safe transfers in and out of cars.

Click here to see a detailed Step-by-Step on how to complete this item set.

Reference

Refer to CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024, Chapter 3, Page GG-57​.

Disclaimer

This guide is based on CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024. Always refer to the latest version for updates.