OASIS MO 440, skin lesion

[gerrianne]

Everytime I teach this I get into a discussion regarding what a skin lesion is and what needs to be noted on the OASIS. The MO440 Asks whether the patient has a skin lesion or open wound, yes or no.
Some schools of thought attest that the answer is always "yes" as all people have some sort of lesion such as a scar or mole, freckle to change in pigment. Others say that the intent of the question is to note a lesion that needs to be monitored or treated, so that "yes" or "no" could be the answer. Others say that if "yes" is answered that the lesion has to be described in the notes. What do you think? Gerrianne:confused:

[Martina Dolan]

Gerrianne,

The Home Health STAR (Setting Targets & Achieving Results) Web site (http://www.medqic.org/hh/star) provides a resource section that contains the official CMS OASIS guidance for responding to M0440. Please find the document which provides this guidance in the following attachment. Further clarification for this OASIS question can be obtained by contacting the New York State OASIS Education Coordinator (OEC).

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