Understanding and coding MDS 3.0 Item F0400F: Resident Interview - Discuss Care with Family or Friend

MDS 3.0 Item F0400F: Resident Interview - Discuss Care with Family or Friend

Introduction

Purpose: Communication between residents, their families, and friends plays a key role in ensuring that the resident’s care preferences and needs are respected. MDS Item F0400F assesses whether a resident has expressed a preference for discussing their care with family members or friends. Understanding and respecting this preference helps facilitate person-centered care, enhances family involvement, and ensures the resident feels supported in their care decisions.

What is MDS Item F0400F?

Explanation: MDS Item F0400F is part of Section F: Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities. This item assesses whether the resident was asked about their preference for discussing their care with family or friends. Many residents value family involvement in their care and prefer to consult with loved ones when making decisions. By acknowledging this preference, care teams can ensure that the resident's care aligns with their personal values and preferences.

Guidelines for Conducting and Coding MDS Item F0400F

Conducting the Interview: During the resident interview, ask about their preference for involving family or friends in discussions about their care. Sample questions include:

• Do you like to talk about your care with a family member or friend?
• Would you like your family or a close friend to be included when decisions are made about your care?
• How often do you discuss your care with family or friends?

This interview helps care providers understand whether the resident wants family or friends to participate in care discussions and decision-making processes.

Interview Techniques:

• Conduct the interview in a private, comfortable setting where the resident can express their preferences openly.
• Use clear, straightforward language and allow the resident time to consider their response.
• If the resident has difficulty communicating, consult family members or caregivers who may understand their preferences.

Coding Instructions: The coding for MDS Item F0400F depends on whether the resident was asked about their preference for discussing their care with family or friends. The coding options are:

• 0 - No: The resident was not asked about their preference for discussing their care with family or friends, or they do not express a preference.
• 1 - Yes: The resident was asked about and expressed a preference for discussing their care with family or friends.

Example Scenario: If a resident indicates during the interview that they prefer to discuss care decisions with a family member or friend before making a choice, you would code F0400F as 1 - Yes. If the resident is not asked about their preference or does not express a preference, code 0 - No.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Respecting Preferences: After conducting the interview, ensure that the resident’s preference for discussing their care with family or friends is respected. If they wish to involve family members in decision-making, care staff should ensure these individuals are informed and included in care discussions.

Documentation: Document the resident’s responses to the interview, noting their preferences for discussing care with family or friends. If the resident cannot express their preferences, involve family members or caregivers to ensure the resident’s wishes are respected.

Communication: Share the resident’s preferences with the care team to ensure that family or friends are involved as needed. This may involve coordinating family meetings or updating family members regularly about the resident’s care.

Training: Provide staff with training on the importance of family involvement in resident care. Encourage staff to communicate openly with residents and their families to ensure care decisions align with the resident’s values and preferences.

Conclusion

Summary: MDS Item F0400F is essential for assessing whether residents prefer to discuss their care with family or friends. Conducting this interview and accurately coding the item helps ensure that the resident’s preferences are respected, fostering stronger communication between residents, their families, and the care team.

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-2.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item F0400F: "Resident Interview - Discuss Care with Family or Friend" 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 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.