How hard is it to learn the Oasis documentation?

Specialties Home Health

Published

Specializes in psychiatric nursing.

I just got an job offer letter from a home health company. I don't have any home health experience. This position will be per diem, paid by the visit. I'm a little leery of that, but I think I'll give it a try anyway to see if I like it.

I am wondering how difficult / time consuming the Oasis documentation really is? I've heard a lot of horror stories about it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health.

At first Oasis documentation will be very time consuming. If you get familiar with the Oasis, read through one several times, you will have an easier go of it. Eventually it will be easy to complete.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've started using OASIS since February of this year. It was hard at first, but now I find it pretty easy. I use a laptop. I'm not sure if that makes a difference. I consider myself to be computer savvy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

As others have said it just takes practice. Just remember, though, that the ADL questions are about how much assist the pt needs to perform the task SAFELY. If they wobble or get dizzy when they stand then for SAFETY they need assist for anything requiring them to stand up (dress lower body, ambulate, even get their meds since they have to go get the meds and get water). If you are between two choices it's safest to go with the worst of the two!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I made myself a one page cheat sheet by going page by page of the oasis. If I have a really difficult patient to read, I actually pull the Oasis out and do the ADL section with them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think it is just like the MDS documentation, 3.0 what the patient can do and what he can not do. adls, bed mobility, incontinency bladder or bowel, baths showers , ambulatory wheel chair or walking etc

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.
As others have said it just takes practice. Just remember, though, that the ADL questions are about how much assist the pt needs to perform the task SAFELY. If they wobble or get dizzy when they stand then for SAFETY they need assist for anything requiring them to stand up (dress lower body, ambulate, even get their meds since they have to go get the meds and get water). If you are between two choices it's safest to go with the worst of the two!

Bold mine

This is an important caveat. Keep in mind that the goal is to identify how badly the patient requires your assistance and then document their progress over the course of the care until discharge.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health.

I have been doing OASIS for over 2 years and I am COS-C and I STILL look up the intent of the questions. OASIS is not easy. The questions are not black and white. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health.

Also, remember that you cannot assess a pts ability to dress, shower, toilet, etc without having them at least mimic the activity. If you are doing a start of care and your patient never leaves their recliner, you are doing it wrong...no matter HOW you were trained. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment