Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0110C: Mechanical Lift

Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item GG0110C: Mechanical Lift

Introduction

Purpose:
Mechanical lifts are essential in long-term care for residents who have mobility challenges. Proper coding of Item GG0110C in the MDS ensures that the use of mechanical lifts is accurately documented, facilitating care planning and ensuring the safety of both the resident and the care team. This guide offers instructions for accurately coding mechanical lift use in Item GG0110C.

What is MDS Item GG0110C?

Explanation:
MDS Item GG0110C refers to the use of mechanical lifts such as sit-to-stand, stand-assist, stair lifts, and full-body-style lifts. The primary purpose is to capture information about a resident’s prior use of such assistive devices. This item is part of the functional abilities section, assessing the mobility support residents needed before their current illness or injury.

Guidelines for Coding GG0110C

Coding Instructions:

1. GG0110C should be marked if the resident routinely used a mechanical lift before the illness, injury, or exacerbation that led to their admission to the care facility.
2. Types of mechanical lifts include:
   • Sit-to-stand or stand-assist lifts.
   • Full-body mechanical lifts.
   • Stair lifts.
3. Do not code GG0110C if the resident only began using a mechanical lift after their current admission.

Example Scenario:
Resident N used a full-body mechanical lift at home for bed-to-chair transfers before experiencing a stroke that resulted in their current hospitalization and admission to long-term care. Since the resident depended on a full-body lift prior to the stroke, GG0110C should be marked as 'used'.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Documentation:
Thoroughly review the resident’s prior medical records or discuss with family members or caregivers to ensure accurate reporting of device usage. Ensure that mechanical lifts were used regularly before the current illness.

Communication:
Collaboration with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and nursing staff is critical for gathering accurate historical data regarding the resident’s use of mechanical lifts.

Training:
Provide ongoing training for MDS coordinators and staff to stay up-to-date on best practices for assessing prior device use. Regularly reviewing the MDS 3.0 Manual ensures consistent and correct coding practices.

Conclusion

Coding MDS Item GG0110C correctly ensures that a resident’s prior use of mechanical lifts is properly recorded, which is critical for planning future care needs. By following the coding guidelines and best practices provided here, MDS coordinators can ensure accurate documentation, improving overall care planning and outcomes.

Click here to see 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 GG0110C: Mechanical Lift 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.