We have some new reading material under the tree this season!
On Dec. 18, 2025, CMS released updated draft versions of the OASIS-E2 instrument and the guidance manual. Effective date for the OASIS-E2 is April 1, 2026.
Appendix D of the draft manual details the changes from OASIS-E1 to E2, with the exception of updates to J1800 and J1900. The most recent Q&As allude to an errata to update these items, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
In the manual, additions to the definitions at J1800 include adding, “A fall due to an overwhelming external force is considered a fall.”
The definition also now includes, “if a major injury results from a fall or an intercepted fall that occurs when a clinician is intentionally challenging a patient’s balance, during balance training. This would be reported as both a fall and a major injury in J1800 Any Falls Since SOC/ROC and J1900 Number of Falls Since SOC/ROC.”
The instrument update replaces descriptions of an injury and a major injury at J1900 with “As described in the manual.”
For injuries, the definition is unchanged, except for noting it includes “but is not limited to” skin tears, abrasions, lacerations, superficial bruises, hematomas, and sprains; or any fall-related injury that causes the patient to complain of pain.
For major injuries, the definition is updated to read, “Includes but is not limited to bone fractures, joint dislocations/subluxations, internal organ injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and crush injuries.”
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