OASIS Alert

One general rule takes some guesswork out of M1334.

If you're not sure whether the wound bed of a stasis ulcer is healing or not, you risk falling into an OASIS C trap.

Old way: You used to code the most problematic stasis ulcers in M0476 with a 1 for fully granulating, a 2 for early or partial granulation, or a 3 for not healing. OASIS C updated this item to M1334 and added a 0 for newly epithelialized.

New way: However, once the wound bed is completely covered with new epithelium and there are no signs or symptoms of infection, "the stasis ulcer is considered healed and no longer reported for OASIS," said Northampton, Mass.-based Fazzi Associates in the Jan. 28 Webinar "Insights From the Delta National OASIS C Best Practices Project."

When you see epithelium on a wound, it is no longer a problematic stasis ulcer and you can move on to the next item.

Takeaway: This expert tip narrows down your options and makes it easier to home in on the correct response.

But it also gives you the unique opportunity to intake a patient who has a stasis ulcer and then discharge him without the ulcer because it epithelialized during the episode -- improving your outcomes simply by performing the same tasks you're already doing.