OASIS · Section M
M1342 — Status of Most Problematic Surgical Wound that is Observable
Response options, how to score it, and the error that most often sends the record back. Cited to Ch. 3, Item M1342.
Response options
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0 | Newly epithelialized |
| 1 | Fully granulating |
| 2 | Early/partial granulation |
| 3 | Not healing |
How to score it
First determine whether the wound is healing by primary intention (well-approximated, no dehiscence) or secondary intention (dehisced/interrupted, or intentionally left open). A wound healing by primary intention does not granulate, so only code 0 (Newly epithelialized) or 3 (Not healing) apply to it — for example, a scab adhering to underlying tissue on a primary-intention incision is coded 3, not 0. A wound healing by secondary intention can also be coded 1 or 2 if it meets those granulation criteria. Code 0 remains valid until about 30 days pass without complication, after which the wound is no longer reportable. Dash is not a valid response for this item.
The common error
Automatically coding a stapled or sutured incision as 3, Not healing, just because staples are present — CMS's coding tip is explicit that a surgical incision is not automatically 'Not healing' solely due to staples; it must actually meet the Not-healing criteria (avascular tissue, signs of infection, a non-granulating bed, or closed/hyperkeratotic edges).
CMS Q&As on this item
- Q111.1 What standards are used to assess cemented surgical wounds when answering OASIS item M1342 - Status of Most…
- Q112.4 If staples remain in a surgical wound, would it be considered as not healing?
- Q112.4.1 When sutures are removed from surgical wounds healing by primary intention, how does it affect the healing…
- Q112.5.2 In reference to M1342, Status of Most Problematic Surgical Wound that is Observable, for surgical incisions…
- Q112.6 Once the needle is removed from an implanted venous access device, before a scab has formed, the wound bed…
- Q112.6.1 How do I mark the healing status of a Q-port that has needle access always in place? Would it be “non-healing?
- Q112.6.1.1 I have a patient receiving peritoneal dialysis every night. I understand that the peritoneal dialysis…
- Q112.6.11 If a patient is receiving antibiotics for a surgical site infection, but at the time of assessment, the…
Source: OASIS-E2 Guidance Manual — Ch. 3, Item M1342. Verified 2026-04-26.
Nearby Section M items
- M1306Unhealed Pressure Ulcer/Injury at Stage 2 or Higher
- M1311Current Number of Unhealed Pressure Ulcers/Injuries at Each Stage
- M1322Current Number of Stage 1 Pressure Injuries
- M1324Stage of Most Problematic Unhealed Pressure Ulcer/Injury that is Stageable
- M1330Does This Patient Have a Stasis Ulcer?
- M1340Does This Patient Have a Surgical Wound?
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