OASIS-Central

OASIS-C contains nine data elements on pressure ulcer assessment. Most of these data elements collect additional detail, enhancing the assessment of pressure ulcers. One data element, however, will be challenging. Homecare DIRECTION looks at what you should know about these new data elements.

M1306, unhealed pressure ulcer Stage II or higher

A redesigned M0445, this question asks whether the patient has at least one unhealed pressure ulcer, excluding Stage I pressure ulcers.

M1307, oldest non-epithelialized Stage II pressure ulcer present at discharge

This new data element focuses on Stage II ulcers and applies only at discharge. If the patient has one or more Stage II ulcers present at discharge, identify the oldest one. Then determine whether it was present at the most recent start or resumption of care or developed since then; in which case, record the date the ulcer was first identified. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will use this information to evaluate the healing of Stage II ulcers.

This is an excerpt from the article “Time to Master OASIS-C Pressure Ulcer Data Elements” which originally appeared in the November 2009 edition of Homecare Direction. Learn more about Homecare Direction here!