Abstract
The Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) is the patient-specific, standardized assessment used in Medicare home health care to plan care, determine reimbursement, and measure quality. Since its inception in 1999, there has been debate over the reliability and validity of the OASIS as a research tool and outcome measure. A systematic literature review of English-language articles identified 12 studies published in the last 10 years examining the validity and reliability of the OASIS. Empirical findings indicate the validity and reliability of the OASIS range from low to moderate but vary depending on the item studied. Limitations in the existing research include: nonrepresentative samples; inconsistencies in methods used, items tested, measurement, and statistical procedures; and the changes to the OASIS itself over time. The inconsistencies suggest that these results are tentative at best; additional research is needed to confirm the value of the OASIS for measuring patient outcomes, research, and quality improvement.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the New Courtland Center for Transitions and Health for their valuable feedback regarding this article. Each author equally contributed to the research and writing of this manuscript.
This work was supported by the John A. Hartford Foundation's Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Award Program (2010–2012) and the National Institute for Nursing Research (1F31NR012090).