Item Rationale

• Allows identification of resident. • Also used for matching each of the resident’s records.

Steps for Assessment

1. Ask resident, family, significant other, and/or guardian/legally authorized representative.

DEFINITION

LEGAL NAME Resident’s name as it appears on the Medicare card. If the resident is not enrolled in the Medicare program, use the resident’s name as it appears on a Medicaid card or other government-issued document 2. Check the resident’s name on their Medicare card, or if not in the program, check a Medicaid card or other government-issued document.

Coding Instructions

Use printed letters. Enter in the following order: A. First Name B. Middle Initial (if the resident has no middle initial, leave Item A0500B blank; if the resident has two or more middle names, use the initial of the first middle name) C. Last Name D. Suffix (e.g., Jr./Sr.)