Step-by-Step Coding Guide for Item Set O0500H: Eating and/or Swallowing Training: Number of Days

1. Review of Medical Records

• Thoroughly examine the resident's medical and therapy records.
• Identify all instances when the resident received training specifically aimed at improving eating and/or swallowing during the 7-day look-back period, noting each day the training was provided.

2. Understanding Definitions

• Eating and/or Swallowing Training: Specialized instruction or assistance provided to a resident to enhance their ability to eat or swallow safely and efficiently. This may involve techniques to modify food textures, swallowing exercises, or adaptive feeding equipment.

3. Coding Instructions

• Record the total number of distinct calendar days during the look-back period on which the resident engaged in eating and/or swallowing training.
• Count each day that training was provided once, regardless of the number of sessions on that day.

4. Coding Tips

• Distinguish between general assistance with feeding and specific training sessions focused on improving skills or addressing swallowing difficulties.
• Ensure all days when eating and/or swallowing training was provided are captured by reviewing therapy schedules, nursing notes, and dietary consultations.

5. Documentation

• Document each training session, including the date, specific techniques or adaptive equipment used, the duration, and the focus (eating or swallowing).
• Note any observations regarding the resident's progress, such as improvements in swallowing safety, changes in diet tolerance, or challenges encountered.

6. Common Errors to Avoid

• Confusing routine feeding assistance with specific eating and/or swallowing training sessions.
• Overlooking training provided by speech-language pathologists or other specialized staff outside of standard meal times.
• Failing to document each day training is provided, potentially leading to underreporting.

7. Practical Application

• Example: A resident recovering from a stroke receives swallowing training to improve safety and reduce the risk of aspiration. The training, provided by a speech-language pathologist on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, includes exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles and techniques to modify food intake. Each session is carefully documented, resulting in a total of 3 days reported for O0500H.

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item set O0500H was originally based on the CMS's RAI Version 3.0 Manual, October 2023 edition. 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.