Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item I5250: Huntingtons Disease

Understanding and Coding MDS 3.0 Item I5250: Huntingtons Disease

Introduction

Purpose:
Huntingtons disease is a progressive, genetic neurodegenerative disorder that affects a persons movement, cognition, and psychiatric health. MDS Item I5250 tracks the diagnosis of Huntingtons disease, ensuring that residents with this condition receive specialized care, including mobility support, cognitive therapy, and behavioral management.

What is MDS Item I5250?

Explanation:
MDS Item I5250 records the presence of Huntingtons disease, a condition that leads to the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. Accurate coding helps direct care plans to address mobility issues, psychiatric symptoms like depression or irritability, and cognitive decline. This item ensures that the facility implements the necessary interventions to manage the residents complex needs.

Guidelines for Coding MDS Item I5250

Coding Instructions:

• Huntingtons disease must be diagnosed by a healthcare provider and actively managed during the look-back period.
• Code MDS Item I5250 as present if the resident is receiving treatment or care related to Huntingtons disease, such as medication or therapies to manage movement, cognition, or psychiatric symptoms.
  For example, if a resident is receiving therapy for chorea (involuntary movements) and psychiatric support for depression related to Huntingtons, MDS Item I5250 should be coded as present.

Best Practices for Accurate Coding

Documentation:

• Ensure that the residents medical record includes a documented diagnosis of Huntingtons disease, along with treatments or therapies in place to manage its symptoms.

Communication:

• The interdisciplinary team, including neurologists, therapists, and nursing staff, must communicate regularly to address the residents cognitive and physical changes, adjusting care as necessary.

Training:

• Staff should be trained to manage the movement and behavioral challenges associated with Huntingtons disease, such as falls, irritability, or difficulty swallowing.

Conclusion

Summary:
Accurately coding MDS Item I5250 ensures that residents with Huntingtons disease receive the comprehensive care they need to manage both physical and mental health symptoms associated with this degenerative disorder.

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

Reference

• CMSs Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 Users Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024, Pages I-12 to I-13.

Disclaimer

This guide for MDS 3.0 Item I5250 is based on the CMSs Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 Users Manual, Version 1.19.1, October 2024. Every effort will be made to update this guide as necessary.