If you aren't already doing so, you need to start using moist wound healing for the treatment of pressure ulcers - it is a requirement in OASIS-C (effective 01/01/10). For patients with pressure ulcers, OASIS-C asks clinicians to document that "pressure ulcer treatment based on principles of moist healing or order for treatment based on moist healing has been requested from the physician" (M2250) and that the treatment is implemented (M2400).

The idea of moist healing started in 1962 when George D. Winter discovered the epithelialization would take place twice as fast in a moist environment then under a scab. Many products have been developed that maintain a moist surface and absorb exudates.

The specific intervention has been identified in OASIS-C because moist wound healing is a proven, evidence-based practice for the treatment of wounds. More importantly, it was put in OASIS-C to encourage physicians to order this type of treatment. Physicians don't always know how to best care for wounds, and we continue to see physicians order all kinds of things for wounds, including dry dressings, open to air and wet-to-dry. But the principles of wound management and healing indicate that moist healing is the best way to get pressure ulcers to heal.

One of the biggest problems in wound care is that some physicians seem to be "hung up" on wet-to-dry dressings - it's often their first choice. The challenge is convincing physicians to stop ordering wet-to-dry dressings, which are ineffective and costly because they require frequent dressing changes, and thus frequent visits.

These new OASIS-C items will present an opportunity for us to communicate with physicians and educate them on this evidence-based best practice.

If you have any questions about moist wound healing, please contact Christine Heady, WOCN; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you have questions about OASIS please contact Barbara Sharpe - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it