OASIS Alert

4 Tips to Clean Up Bathing Assessments

Try these strategies for accurately answering M1830 -- Current ability to wash entire body safely from Patricia Jump, president of Acorn's End Training & Consulting in Rice Lake, Wis. In addition to observing your patient's bathing ability (see story on page 2), try these assessment techniques:

1. Keep safety in mind at all times as you consider the patient's ability. If a patient can't safely get in and out of the tub independently, minimally your response options are "2" or higher. If your patient is not safe at response "2," he or she is minimally at response "3." Keep looking at the higher numbered responses until you determine your patient's ability to safely complete whatever is included in the response item.

2. Ask about any medical restrictions that would impact bathing.

3. Look around: Note the location of the bathroom and functionality of the tub or shower and choose OASIS responses according to your findings.

4. Read the item carefully and start considering your patient's ability beginning with the skills included response "6" and working downward.

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