For a patient with multiple falls, what is the correct J1800 response at discharge if they had one fall without injury and one with injury?

When assessing a patient with multiple falls for the J1800 item in the OASIS-E data set, it's crucial to understand how to accurately reflect the patient's fall history. The item specifically asks whether the patient experienced falls during the assessment period, and the response options clarify the nature and consequences of these falls.

In the case of a patient who had one fall without injury and one with injury, the correct response is that the patient did indeed experience falls. Since the question encompasses both falls without injury and with injury, it confirms that the patient has a history of falls, making it appropriate to respond with "Yes." This acknowledgment is essential for accurate clinical assessment and appropriate care planning.

Choosing "Yes" accounts for the overall safety concern posed by falls, even when one of those falls did not result in injury. Documenting both the presence of falls and their consequences is essential for understanding the patient's risk factors and tailoring interventions to prevent future incidents. In contrast, options that suggest a negative response or the documentation of only the injury do not capture the comprehensive context of the patient's experience with falls, which is vital in the assessment. Thus, marking “Yes” accurately reflects the patient’s fall history and prompts necessary follow-up actions.