Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item F0800A: Staff Assessment - Choosing Clothes to Wear

MDS 3.0 Item F0800A: Staff Assessment - Choosing Clothes to Wear

Introduction

Purpose: Residents in long-term care settings often have preferences about daily routines, including what clothes they like to wear. MDS Item F0800A assesses whether staff have determined the resident’s preferences for choosing their clothes when the resident is unable to communicate this preference. Understanding and respecting these preferences ensures that the resident maintains a sense of autonomy and dignity in their care.

What is MDS Item F0800A?

Explanation: MDS Item F0800A is part of Section F: Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities. This item evaluates whether staff have assessed the resident’s preferences for choosing what clothes to wear when the resident is unable to express these preferences themselves. For some residents, being able to choose their clothing provides a sense of control over their personal appearance and routine. This assessment helps ensure that the resident’s care plan reflects their known preferences.

Guidelines for Conducting and Coding MDS Item F0800A

Conducting the Staff Assessment: If the resident cannot communicate their preferences for choosing clothes due to cognitive or physical impairments, staff must conduct an assessment based on prior knowledge, observations, or input from family members or caregivers. Questions to consider include:

• Does the resident have a known preference for certain types of clothing (e.g., casual or formal attire)?
• Are there specific clothing items or colors the resident prefers?
• Is the resident comfortable with staff choosing their clothing, or should family members be involved?

This assessment is crucial for understanding the resident’s preferences regarding their daily routine and appearance.

Coding Instructions: The coding for MDS Item F0800A depends on whether staff conducted an assessment to determine the resident’s preferences for choosing clothes to wear when the resident is unable to communicate their preference. The coding options are:

• 0 - No: No staff assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s preferences for choosing clothes.
• 1 - Yes: A staff assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s preferences for choosing clothes.

Example Scenario: If the resident cannot communicate their clothing preferences, and staff assess that the resident typically prefers casual clothing based on past observations and family input, you would code F0800A as 1 - Yes. If no assessment was done to determine the resident’s preferences, you would code F0800A as 0 - No.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Comprehensive Assessment: When conducting the staff assessment, ensure that all available information is considered, including family input and staff observations. If the resident has previously expressed a strong preference for certain types of clothing, this should be documented and respected.

Documentation: Record the resident’s known preferences for choosing clothes, as well as the sources used for this information (e.g., family members or previous resident interviews). Clear documentation helps the care team respect the resident’s preferences over time.

Communication: Share the results of the staff assessment with the interdisciplinary care team to ensure that the resident’s clothing preferences are incorporated into their daily routine. This helps maintain the resident’s dignity and sense of control over their personal appearance.

Training: Provide training to staff on the importance of understanding residents’ preferences, particularly when residents are unable to communicate these themselves. Encourage staff to be observant and attentive to residents’ needs, ensuring that their preferences are respected.

Conclusion

Summary: MDS Item F0800A is essential for assessing whether residents who cannot communicate their preferences still have their clothing choices respected. Conducting this staff assessment ensures that residents’ dignity is preserved, even when they are unable to express their preferences directly. Accurate coding and assessments are key to providing person-centered care.

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-5.

Disclaimer

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item F0800A: "Staff Assessment - Choosing Clothes to Wear" 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. Additionally, this guide refrains from handling personal patient data and does not provide medical or legal advice.