OASIS Alert

Question: Our patient was confused both when encountering a new situation and on awakening in the morning. OASIS item M1710 -- When Confused is not a "Mark All That Apply" item, could you please clarify when it's appropriate to select each of the response options?

The response options for M1710 -- When Confused identify the time of day or situations when the patient experienced confusion, if at all, within the last 14 days.

You'll select response 0 -- Never if the patient had no confusion in the last 14 days.

Select response 1 -- In new or complex situations only when your patient's confusion is isolated to a new or a complex situation, CMS said in the October 2012 Quarterly OASIS Q&As. For example, if the patient became confused when she first met a new caregiver or when she was being taught a complicated procedure for the first time.

If neither response 0 nor response 1 seem accurate for your patient, you should consider responses 2 -- On awakening or at night only, 3 -- During the day and evening, but not constantly, and 4 -- Constantly. These responses are appropriate when your patient experiences confusion without the stimulus of a new or complex situation, or when the confusion initially occurs with a new or complex situation but then persists days after the new or complex situation has become more routine, CMS said.