September 2001

Information Bulletin 01-24
MHC-35

Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society
and OASIS Develop Guidance for OASIS Wound Items

Purpose:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (formerly the Health Care Financing Administration) have collaborated with clinical wound care experts from the WOCN to clarify definitions for "fully granulating, early/partial granulation and not healing" for OASIS wound items. The clarifications respond to numerous questions about wound status received by the OASIS Mailbox. The clarifications are intended to be helpful to home health agency (HHA) clinicians as they complete their patient assessments.

Where Can I Get Information About the WOCN Guidelines?

CMS has distributed Reference Memo S&C 21 which provides an overview of the guidelines.
[Please note: A copy of the S&C 21 memo has been included in this mailing.]

There are two attachments to the S&C21 memo:

• Attachment A: WOCN Guidance on OASIS Skin and Wound Status Items
  You can access and print a copy of these guidelines by going to the WOCN website at Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society
• Attachment B: Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN)
  OASIS Guidance Questions and Answers

When Do These Guidelines Become Effective?

These guidelines are effective as of August 6, 2001.

What If I Have More Questions About the Guidelines?

If, after reading the information provided, you still have questions, contact the MDS/OASIS Coordinator at:

(651) 201-4313 MDS
(651) 201-4314 OASIS
mds@health.state.mn.us

If you have any questions regarding this Information Bulletin, please contact in writing:

Minnesota Department of Health
Health Regulation Division
Licensing and Certification Program
85 East Seventh Place, Suite 300
PO Box 64900
St. Paul, MN 55164-0900
Telephone: (651) 201-4101