MDS Alert

Reader Questions:

Don’t Count Closing the Door for Car Transfer

Question: I am trying to decide how to code Section GG for a resident who needs help shutting the door once they’re in the car. Does shutting the door for them count as dependent, since the assistant provides all of the effort?

New Mexico Subscriber

Answer: No, says the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual, on page GG-51.

“The Car transfer item does not include transfers into the driver’s seat, opening/closing the car door, fastening/ unfastening the seat belt. The Car transfer item includes the resident’s ability to transfer in and out of the passenger seat of a car or car simulator,” the RAI Manual says.

Note that if you don’t have a car in which you can evaluate a resident’s status, especially because of inclement weather, you should code 10 Not attempted due to environmental limitations.