Health Conditions

Coding Questions and Answers

Question:         When do I use the code: 'Present, not in last 3 day' 

Answer:               This indicates that an intervention (medications, alternative therapies) is in place and effectively managing the symptom. It remains a concern and it is being actively monitored by person//family/ medical team  as there is continued concern that symptoms/issue may return.

Timeframe is not taken into consideration with this code meaning that the intervention could have been in place for 6 months - year or more but continues to be a concern for client/family.

Question:        Can a person, who has Dementia, be coded for 'Aphasia' if they present with word finding difficulties?

Answer:           No, there must be a formal diagnosis of 'Aphasia' to select 'yes' for this item.The person with word finding difficulties, in the presence of Dementia, will have their communication difficulties identified in Section D1 and D2

Question:        How is the MDS item 'Difficult or unable to turn self around and face the opposite direction when standing' to be coded, when the person never stands and is hoisted on all occasions when moving from surface to surface?

Answer:           No, if J3a has been coded '3' and the person never stands ( even with help), then they do not have difficulty turning whilst standing as they never stand.

Question:       What is the look back period for  the MDS item 'Instability of Conditions'?

Answer:           The look back period for this item is  3 days.The intent, as defined in the online section help, for this item is "To determine if the person's disease or health conditions present over the last 3 days are acute,unstable or deteriorating."

Question:       Can Vaping be included in the MDS item 'Smokes tobacco daily'?

Answer:           No. The question relates only to the smoking of tobacco. 

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