OASIS Alert

Q: In M0250, can IV/infusion therapy and parenteral/enteral nutrition "count" on the OASIS assessment, even if the home health agency's staff has nothing to do with providing it?

The key question to ask is if the patient receives these therapies at home, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services instructed in questions and answers from the 2003 OASIS Educators Conference. If so, then answer "1" on M0250. Whether the agency, the family or an infusion therapy provider takes care of the actual therapy is not the point.

Both the assessment and the clinical record should note any of these therapies, even if someone other than the HHA administers them, CMS said. After all, part of what the clinician will need to do in these situations is monitor nutritional status, hydration or signs of infection, CMS advised.

And remember to apply only the M0250 answer with the highest point value. The points for more than one answer aren't added together.