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One is the loneliest ­number: Coding isolation on the MDS

PPS Alert for Long-Term Care, August 1, 2011

This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to PPS Alert for Long-Term Care.

CMS released version 1.05 of the RAI User's Manual June 2, and although a lot of the changes were minor, the revised manual provided some clarification to common MDS trouble spots. One such focus area is coding isolation in item O0100M, which has been a source of confusion for many SNFs.

"Many nursing facilities are unsure of what the isolation coding guidelines are for MDS assessments and don't know the difference between standard precautions and strict isolation," says Theresa A. Lang, RN, BSN, RAC-C, WCC, vice president of clinical services at Specialized Medical Services, Inc., in Milwaukee.

Fortunately, the revised version of the RAI User's Manual sheds some light on this issue with further clarification and detailed instructions for coding strict isolation on the MDS 3.0. Let's take a look at the revised guidance and discuss how your facility can ensure compliance and correct coding of isolation.

This is an excerpt from a member only article. To read the article in its entirety, please login or subscribe to PPS Alert for Long-Term Care.

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