OASIS Alert

Know when and where to report confusion.

When assessing a client’s cognitive status, including behaviors related to confusion, you’ll need to master the considerations for each OASIS item. Make certain you’re answering M1700 — Cognitive Functioning, M1710 — When Confused, and M1720 — When Anxious accurately with this helpful table from Pat Jump with Rice Lake, Wis.-based Acorn’s End Training & Consulting.

Remember several key factors to accurately assess the client’s cognitive functioning, Jump says. These include:

• The timing considerations for each item
• Behavioral considerations for each item
• Other specific considerations for each item

Use this table to summarize the top considerations when completing these OASIS items.

Sometimes confusion over answering these OASIS items stems from differentiating between them, Jump says. Keep in mind:

• If a client demonstrates confusion on the day of assessment, you’ll report it in both M1700 and M1710.
• If a client is not confused on the day of assessment, but had confusion in the last 14 days, you would report this behavior only in M1710.
• If a client has a cognitive impairment that does not result in confusion (forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, etc.), you would report this behavior only in M1700.