How are pressure ulcer stages related to wound thickness, and how does that relate to OASIS-C? If you can get a good understanding of this, OASIS will make a lot more sense! You will understand why all unhealed stage IIs are non-healing, and why stage IIIs and stage IVs continue to be counted even after they are closed (notice, I didn't say healed).
OK Stage I and II pressure ulcers are partial thickness. Stage III and IV are full thickness.
PRESSURE SORES STAGES
Partial thickness wounds (stage Is and IIs) heal by epithelialization, and usually they don't leave scars. In other words, after they epithelialize, the skin is like it was before the wound took place. They are healed. They are gone. They are no longer addressed in OASIS-C. That is why it is not correct to choose Fully Epithelialized as a response if the most problematic pressure ulcer is a stage II. Also, partial thickness wounds don't granulate, so it is not appropriate to say they are Fully Granulating or Early Partial granulation.
Full thickness wounds (stage IIIs and IVs) heal by granulation, contraction, then epithelialization. When they epithelialize, the tissue is not like it was before the wound occurred. Granulation tissue fills the wound, and eventually there is a plug of scar tissue. Healed pressure ulcers only regain about 80% of their original tensile strength. They will never be like they were before the injury, so, once a stage III or IV, always a stage III or IV. They will be counted on OASIS-C forever.
When you see scars from old pressure ulcers, it might take a little research to determine if they had been stage IIIs or stage IVs, but they will still have to be addressed on OASIS. Standing with you for quality patient care.
Partial Thickness, Full Thickness and PU Staging PRESSURE SORES STAGES
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