HOPE Guidance Manual v1.02, Item A1110

Timepoint(s) Item Completed

Admission (ADM)

Item-Specific Instructions

• Ask for the patient’s preferred language.

• Ask if the patient needs or wants an interpreter to communicate with a doctor or health care staff.

• It is acceptable for a caregiver and/or responsible party to be the interpreter if the patient is comfortable

with it and if the caregiver and/or responsible party will translate exactly what the patient says without

providing their interpretation.

• If the patient, even with the assistance of an interpreter, is unable to respond, a caregiver and/or

responsible party should be asked.

• If neither the patient nor caregiver and/or responsible party is able to provide a response to A1110A or

A1110B medical record documentation may be used.

• Complete as close to the time of admission as possible.

• Code 0, No, if the patient, caregiver and/or responsible party, or medical record indicates no need

or want of an interpreter to communicate with a doctor or health care staff.

• Code 1, Yes, if the patient, caregiver and/or responsible party, or medical record indicates the need or

want of an interpreter to communicate with a doctor or health care staff.

o Ensure that preferred language is indicated.

• Code 9, Unable to determine, if the patient is unable or declines to respond or any available source

(caregiver and/or responsible party, or medical records) cannot or does not identify the need or want of

an interpreter.

Coding Tips for A1110A

• Enter the preferred language the patient primarily speaks or understands.

• An organized system of signing, such as American Sign Language (ASL), can be reported as the

preferred language if the patient needs or wants to communicate in this manner.