Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0170L1: Walking 10 Feet on Uneven Surfaces (Admission Performance)

Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0170L1: Walking 10 Feet on Uneven Surfaces (Admission Performance)

Introduction

Purpose:
MDS Item GG0170L1 evaluates a resident’s ability to walk 10 feet on uneven surfaces at admission. This information helps establish a baseline for the resident's mobility and supports individualized care planning.

What is MDS Item GG0170L1?

Explanation:
GG0170L1 measures how much assistance a resident needs to walk 10 feet on uneven surfaces, such as turf, gravel, or sloped surfaces. This item is crucial for assessing mobility on surfaces that residents may encounter in everyday life.

Guidelines for Coding GG0170L1

Coding Instructions:
Use the six-point scale for coding:

• 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 walks 10 feet over uneven gravel but requires occasional steadying assistance. Code GG0170L1 as 03 (Partial/moderate assistance).

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Documentation:

Document the resident’s performance over the first three days of admission to reflect typical mobility on uneven surfaces.

Communication:

Communicate with the interdisciplinary team to ensure consistent documentation and observation.

Training:

Train staff to accurately assess walking on uneven surfaces and apply the six-point scale effectively.

Conclusion

Summary:
Proper coding of GG0170L1 ensures the care plan reflects the resident’s ability to navigate uneven terrain, facilitating better mobility support and safety planning.

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 consult the most current version for updates.