Understanding and Coding MDS Item O0350: Residents COVID-19 Vaccination is Up to Date

Understanding and Coding MDS Item O0350: Resident’s COVID-19 Vaccination is Up to Date

Introduction

Purpose:
MDS Item O0350, "Resident’s COVID-19 Vaccination is Up to Date," is used to document the resident’s COVID-19 vaccination status. This item captures whether the resident has received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters based on current guidelines during the look-back period. Ensuring that a resident’s vaccination status is up to date is critical for reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection and complications in long-term care settings, where residents are at higher risk of severe outcomes.

What is MDS Item O0350?

Explanation:
MDS Item O0350 is part of Section O, which captures information about special treatments, procedures, and programs. This item specifically focuses on the resident’s COVID-19 vaccination status. It is used to document whether the resident is up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, including any boosters recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the look-back period (typically 5-7 days).

According to the CDC, "up to date" means the resident has received all doses in the primary series and any recommended boosters for their age group and health status. Vaccination helps protect residents from severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, making it a key component of public health in long-term care facilities.

• Relevance: Recording the COVID-19 vaccination status of residents helps facilities monitor compliance with public health recommendations and adjust infection control measures accordingly.
• Importance: Proper coding of O0350 ensures that residents who are fully vaccinated and up to date are recognized, supporting the overall infection prevention and control strategies within the facility.

Guidelines for Coding MDS Item O0350

Coding Instructions:

1. Review Vaccination Records:
   Examine the resident’s medical and vaccination records to determine if they have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Verify that the vaccinations were administered within the required timeframes and according to the latest guidelines from the CDC.

2. Answering O0350:

   • Code 1 (Yes) if the resident’s COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date according to the current CDC guidelines.
   • Code 0 (No) if the resident’s COVID-19 vaccinations are not up to date or if the resident has not received the necessary boosters or doses in the primary series.

3. Documentation Requirements:
   Ensure that the resident’s COVID-19 vaccination status is supported by proper documentation in their medical records. This may include vaccination cards, healthcare provider notes, or electronic health records confirming the administration of COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.

4. Verification:
   Verify the vaccination status by cross-referencing the resident’s vaccination documentation with the latest CDC guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination schedules. If the resident is due for a booster or has not completed the primary series, code 0 (No) for O0350.

Example Scenario:
Mrs. Parker, a 72-year-old resident, has received both doses of the primary COVID-19 vaccination series and the most recent booster recommended for her age group. In this case, code 1 (Yes) for O0350, as her COVID-19 vaccinations are up to date according to CDC guidelines.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Documentation:
Ensure that the resident’s COVID-19 vaccination status is clearly documented in their medical record. This should include the date and type of vaccine received, as well as any boosters administered, to confirm that the resident is up to date.

Communication:
Collaborate with the facility’s infection control team, nursing staff, and physicians to ensure that vaccination records are updated regularly and any upcoming boosters are scheduled for eligible residents.

Training:
Provide training for staff on the importance of monitoring and updating COVID-19 vaccination records, as public health recommendations and vaccination schedules may change. Staff should be familiar with the current CDC guidelines to ensure residents remain up to date with vaccinations.

Conclusion

MDS Item O0350 is crucial for documenting a resident’s COVID-19 vaccination status. Accurate coding of this item ensures that residents who are up to date with their vaccinations are identified, supporting infection prevention efforts and protecting the health of vulnerable populations in long-term care settings. Proper documentation, communication, and staff training are key to ensuring residents remain protected against COVID-19.

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

Reference

For more detailed guidelines on coding MDS Item O0350, refer to the CMS’s Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024, Chapter 3, Section O, Page 3-99.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item O0350: "Resident’s COVID-19 Vaccination is Up to Date" was originally based on the CMS’s Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024. 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.