Long-Term Care Survey Alert

MDS CORNER:

CMS Official Clarifies Suspected DTI Coding on MDS 2.0

Confused about coding suspected deep-tissue injury on the MDS 2.0? CMS recently provided some clarification on the issue during a SNF/LTC Open Door Forum. The MDS 2.0 does not have a specific item for coding suspected DTI, noted the agency's Tom Dudley. The MDS 3.0 does, however, have an item code for suspected DTI as people can see when it's published, he added. The MDS 2.0 allows for coding of blisters if they present clinically as a partial thickness loss of skin known as a stage 2 pressure ulcer on MDS 2.0, Dudley instructed. Coding of suspected DTI "should be based on the observed appearance of the area and what is known -- not what is suspected," he reiterated. Clinicians should document in the record that they suspect DTI "or if a blister doesn't meet the definition of a stage 2 pressure ulcer," he added.

Bottom line, he said, you need to follow the current MDS 2.0 manual  and not other organizations' published guidance on this issue.