Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0170J1: Walk 50 Feet with Two Turns (Admission Performance)

Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0170J1: Walk 50 Feet with Two Turns (Admission Performance)

Introduction

Purpose:
MDS Item GG0170J1 assesses a resident’s ability to walk 50 feet with two turns at the time of admission. This measure helps establish a baseline for the resident’s mobility, which is essential for creating a personalized care plan.

What is MDS Item GG0170J1?

Explanation:
GG0170J1 captures how much assistance a resident needs to walk 50 feet and make two 90-degree turns during the walk. This item assesses the resident’s functional mobility at admission, which is important for determining appropriate interventions and support.

Guidelines for Coding GG0170J1

Coding Instructions:
Code this 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 X requires a physical therapist to provide steadying assistance while making turns during their 50-foot walk. Code GG0170J1 as 04 (Supervision or touching assistance).

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Documentation:

Ensure that documentation reflects the resident’s usual performance within the first three days of admission.

Communication:

Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure accurate assessment and documentation of the resident’s mobility.

Training:

Provide training on assessing walking distances, focusing on the resident’s ability to complete turns safely.

Conclusion

Summary:
Accurately coding GG0170J1 at admission helps create a care plan tailored to the resident’s current mobility capabilities.

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-60​.

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.