OASIS-Central

As the clock ticks down to the January 1 implementation of OASIS-C, homecare providers are actively discussing how to prepare themselves for the switch. Homecare providers talk about their preparations for this upcoming update much in the same way as they did for the recent revisions to the PPS in 2008. They have also been comparing it to the way they prepared for the feared Y2K bug in 2000.

Preparation is the key. Just as agencies prepared for the millennium and the revised PPS, they need to be properly prepared again. In planning, it is important to keep in consideration your use of electric documentation software.  If your agency uses electronic documentation software, there are several steps you should be mindful of.

From now and until the end of the year, regularly scheduled meetings should be arranged with your software vendors to ensure a smooth transition. Make sure their implementation plan is on track and that all the pieces are ready to upload and update at the right time. It is also important to make sure that clinicians that use laptops and remote devices make sure they too have all updates necessary if applicable.

All agencies and homecare providers should also make time to prepare staff and train them in the use of the updated software and forms. It is likely that your patients’ medical records will look slightly different with the new and updated data elements. All staff members entering data into the systems must be familiar with the changes to avoid clerical errors.

It is very important to plan for contingencies. For example, if your clinicians use laptops to complete and upload the OASIS-C, you may consider making paper copies of the OASIS-C data set questionnaire available to your clinicians for use as a backup starting January 1, 2010. This simple precaution would prevent delays in data collection in case there are problems with the transition in the electronic service your agency uses.

Finally, it may be beneficial to ask for input from your staff. Ask around for people’s perspective on readiness for the transition. Are there any loose ends? Will key personnel be on vacation during the transition? Who will cover for them? If you help your agency staff feel included and informed it is likely you will experience a smooth transition into OASIS-C.