MDS 3.0 Item F0500G: Resident Interview - Going Outside When the Weather is Good

Introduction

Purpose: Spending time outdoors can provide physical, emotional, and psychological benefits for residents in long-term care settings. MDS Item F0500G assesses whether a resident has been asked about their preference for going outside when the weather is good. Understanding this preference helps ensure that the resident has access to fresh air, sunshine, and outdoor activities that promote well-being and enhance quality of life.

What is MDS Item F0500G?

Explanation: MDS Item F0500G is part of Section F: Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities. This item evaluates whether the resident was asked about their desire to go outside during good weather. Spending time outdoors offers many benefits, including exposure to sunlight, fresh air, and opportunities for socializing or engaging in physical activity. By assessing this preference, care teams can create a more personalized, person-centered care plan that includes outdoor experiences.

Guidelines for Conducting and Coding MDS Item F0500G

Conducting the Interview: During the interview, ask the resident about their preference for going outside during good weather. Sample questions include:

• Do you enjoy going outside when the weather is nice?
• How often would you like to spend time outdoors?
• Are there any specific outdoor activities you enjoy, such as walking, gardening, or sitting outside?

This interview helps care providers understand the resident’s preference for outdoor activities and how often they would like to go outside.

Interview Techniques:

• Conduct the interview in a quiet, private setting where the resident feels comfortable sharing their preferences.
• Use clear, open-ended questions, and allow the resident time to express their thoughts on outdoor activities.
• If the resident has communication difficulties, involve family members or caregivers to better understand their outdoor preferences.

Coding Instructions: The coding for MDS Item F0500G depends on whether the resident was asked about their preference for going outside during good weather. The coding options are:

• 0 - No: The resident was not asked about their preference for going outside or does not express a desire to go outdoors.
• 1 - Yes: The resident was asked about their preference and expressed a desire to go outside when the weather is good.

Example Scenario: If a resident expresses during the interview that they enjoy sitting in the garden or walking outside on sunny days, and this preference is respected in their care plan, you would code F0500G as 1 - Yes. If the resident is not asked about their preference or does not express an interest in going outside, you would code 0 - No.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Respecting Preferences: After conducting the interview, ensure that the resident’s preference for spending time outdoors is respected. If they express a desire to go outside regularly, care staff should facilitate opportunities for outdoor activities based on their preferences.

Documentation: Accurately document the resident’s responses, noting their preferences for outdoor activities, how often they wish to go outside, and any specific activities they enjoy. If the resident cannot express their preferences, family members or caregivers may provide valuable insights.

Communication: Share the resident’s preferences with the interdisciplinary care team to ensure that outdoor activities are incorporated into their routine, when possible, based on weather and safety considerations.

Training: Provide staff with training on the importance of outdoor activities for residents’ well-being. Encourage staff to assist residents in going outside safely and to facilitate outdoor activities that align with their preferences and abilities.

Conclusion

Summary: MDS Item F0500G is crucial for assessing whether residents prefer to go outside when the weather is good. Conducting this interview and accurately coding the item helps ensure that residents’ preferences for outdoor activities are respected, contributing to their physical and emotional well-being in long-term care settings.

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

Reference

This guide is based on the CMS's Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024, Page F-3.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item F0500G: "Resident Interview - Going Outside When the Weather is Good" 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 item within MDS 3.0. Additionally, this guide refrains from handling personal patient data and does not provide medical or legal advice.