Omaha and OASIS. A comparative study of outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Accreditation and certification agencies are demanding outcomes data, managed care companies are concerned with outcomes, and consumers have the right to be informed about outcomes. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is proposing an outcome-based assessment data system, the Outcomes Assessment information System (OASIS). This retrospective study compares outcome data derived from the OASIS tool with data compiled from the Omaha system by means of a chart review of 10 discharged patients with a primary diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Results of this study indicate the Omaha system provides a more complete tool for measuring patient outcomes than OASIS. Outcomes knowledge guides home health nurses toward improved professional practice.