Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item F0800K: Staff Assessment - Place to Lock Personal Things

MDS 3.0 Item F0800K: Staff Assessment - Place to Lock Personal Things

Introduction

Purpose: Residents in long-term care settings often value the ability to keep their personal belongings safe and secure. Having a place to lock personal items contributes to a resident’s sense of security, autonomy, and privacy. MDS Item F0800K assesses whether staff have conducted an assessment to determine the resident’s preference or need for a place to lock their personal things, especially when the resident is unable to communicate this preference. This ensures that the resident’s personal items are handled in accordance with their wishes.

What is MDS Item F0800K?

Explanation: MDS Item F0800K is part of Section F: Preferences for Customary Routine and Activities. This item evaluates whether staff assessed the resident’s preference for having a secure place to lock personal belongings, such as clothing, valuables, or sentimental items, when the resident cannot express their preference. Ensuring residents have access to secure storage for their belongings helps preserve their sense of independence and control over their environment.

Guidelines for Conducting and Coding MDS Item F0800K

Conducting the Staff Assessment: When a resident is unable to communicate their preference for having a place to lock personal items, staff should assess this need based on family input, previous preferences, or observations of the resident’s behaviors and concerns. Key considerations include:

• Has the resident previously expressed concern about the safety of their personal belongings?
• Does the resident have valuables or sentimental items that they prefer to keep secure?
• Have family members or caregivers indicated that the resident values having a place to lock their personal things?

This assessment helps ensure that the resident’s need for security is respected.

Coding Instructions: The coding for MDS Item F0800K depends on whether staff conducted an assessment to determine the resident’s preference for having a place to lock personal belongings. The coding options are:

• 0 - No: No staff assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s preference for a place to lock personal belongings.
• 1 - Yes: A staff assessment was conducted to determine the resident’s preference for a place to lock personal belongings.

Example Scenario: If a resident cannot express their preference, and staff assess, based on family input and past behavior, that the resident is concerned about securing their valuables, you would code F0800K as 1 - Yes. If no assessment was conducted, you would code F0800K as 0 - No.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Thorough Assessment: Ensure the staff assessment includes input from family members, caregivers, or previous records. This comprehensive assessment helps staff determine whether the resident values having a secure place for their belongings.

Documentation: Clearly document the sources used to assess the resident’s preference for securing personal belongings, including family interviews, observations, and past records. Proper documentation ensures the resident’s wishes are respected over time.

Communication: Share the results of the staff assessment with the care team to ensure that the resident’s need or preference for locking personal items is reflected in their care plan. Ensure that a safe and accessible storage solution is provided if needed.

Training: Provide staff with training on the importance of securing residents’ belongings and respecting their privacy. Staff should understand how to provide residents with the necessary tools to lock up their personal items and foster a sense of control over their environment.

Conclusion

Summary: MDS Item F0800K ensures that residents who are unable to communicate their preferences for locking personal belongings have their security needs respected. Conducting a staff assessment helps ensure that the resident’s desire for a secure place to store valuables or personal items is incorporated into their care plan, promoting autonomy and dignity.

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 F0800K: "Staff Assessment - Place to Lock Personal Things" 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.