Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0110B: Motorized Wheelchair and/or Scooter

Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0110B: Motorized Wheelchair and/or Scooter

Introduction

Purpose:
The use of assistive mobility devices like motorized wheelchairs and scooters plays a vital role in the mobility and independence of residents in long-term care facilities. Proper coding of such items is essential for accurate assessment, care planning, and ensuring optimal quality of life for residents. Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0110B ensures that the resident’s use of motorized wheelchairs and scooters is correctly documented, aiding care teams in developing effective care strategies.

What is MDS Item GG0110B?

Explanation:
MDS Item GG0110B pertains to residents who use a motorized wheelchair and/or scooter for mobility. It is essential to determine if the resident utilized such devices immediately prior to their current illness, exacerbation, or injury that necessitated admission to the long-term care facility. Properly identifying the use of a motorized device helps assess prior functional status and mobility needs during their stay.

Guidelines for Coding GG0110B

Coding Instructions:
For MDS Item GG0110B, the motorized wheelchair and/or scooter should be coded if the resident relied on this device for mobility prior to their current illness or injury. You must ensure that the following key elements are met:

• GG0110B should be checked if the resident regularly used a motorized wheelchair or scooter to move around before their current health episode.
• If a resident primarily relied on a manual wheelchair or walker, GG0110B should not be checked.

Example Scenario:
Resident M, diagnosed with severe arthritis and a history of COPD, used a motorized wheelchair to move around the facility and during visits outside the nursing home prior to hospitalization for a respiratory infection. Upon admission, Resident M continues to rely on the motorized wheelchair. In this scenario, GG0110B would be checked, as the resident had used the motorized wheelchair before the illness that led to their current stay.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Documentation:
Ensure accurate documentation by reviewing medical records and speaking with the resident, family members, or caregivers. Confirm the regular use of a motorized wheelchair or scooter before the current illness.

Communication:
Interdisciplinary communication is crucial. Work closely with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and nursing staff to gather comprehensive information on the resident’s prior device use.

Training:
Ongoing education for MDS coordinators and nursing staff is recommended to stay updated with coding practices for assistive devices. Refresher courses on MDS guidelines can help maintain coding accuracy.

Conclusion

Properly coding MDS Item GG0110B is essential for capturing the resident’s prior functional mobility and informing care decisions. By adhering to the coding instructions and best practices outlined here, care teams can ensure accurate documentation and enhance the quality of care planning for residents requiring motorized mobility devices.

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

Reference:

CMS’s Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024, Chapter 3, Page GG-5.

Disclaimer:

Please note that the information provided in this guide for MDS 3.0 Item GG0110B: Motorized Wheelchair and/or Scooter 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. 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.