OASIS Alert

Reader Question:

Is Mammosite a Surgical Wound?

Question: Our patient has a "Mammosite," a device implanted in her lumpectomy site. She receives radiation bead insertion through this catheter. It requires a sterile dressing change daily. Is this device a surgical wound for M1340 -- Does this patient have a surgical wound? and M1342 -- Status of the patient's most problematic (observable) surgical wound? Is this an infusion device for M1030 --Therapies at home?

Answer: The incision created to insert the balloon catheter for this patient is considered a surgical wound in OASIS, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says in the July 2012 Quarterly OASIS Q&As. Utilize existing guidance to determine the healing status, CMS advises.

"MammoSite® breast brachytherapy (balloon catheter radiation) is a type of accelerated breast radiation treatment," CMS says. The saline and radiation seed remains in the balloon catheter, so it is not an infusion and should not be reported in M1030.

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