Communication: The Key to Improved Dialysis Outcomes

Communication is key to providing residents quality care. This is especially true for dialysis patients who are particularly vulnerable: lack of communication can lead to missed dialysis appointments, medication errors, adverse events, and rehospitalization. This article will provide the director of nursing services (DNS) tips to improve communication with both …

Mentoring, Coaching, and Counseling, Oh My! How They All Fit Into The Disciplinary Process

As the leader of the nursing department, the director of nursing services (DNS) plays an integral role in the disciplinary process. Managing employee performance can be challenging, but it is necessary. Failure to address employees’ negative behaviors and actions can destroy morale among the staff. Knowing when and how to …

Improving Collaboration with the Registered Dietitian

To meet residents’ individualized needs, the director of nursing services (DNS) requires the expertise of many healthcare professionals working collaboratively. For expertise on nutrition, the DNS should collaborate with the registered dietician (RD), who is an invaluable addition to the team for both the residents and the facility. This article …

Part of the Essential DNS Toolbox: Effective Daily Clinical Rounds

The director of nursing services (DNS) has many issues to prioritize each day, such as resident falls, staffing, and grievances. Unfortunately, the DNS may be tempted to relegate clinical rounds to “later,” considering them a low priority due to time constraints, which can prove to be a costly mistake. Daily …

Tips for a Comprehensive Post-Admission Medical Record Review

Admissions are vital to a facility. They may occur daily, or even multiple times a day, and should be a part of routine operations. However, the admission process can be cumbersome, and it is easy for staff to miss things, especially if the facility receives multiple admissions in a shift. …

Tips to Prepare for the Upcoming Respiratory Illness Season

Fall is fast approaching, and colder weather increases prevalence of respiratory illness. Colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) become more common in colder months as people stay indoors more and reside in closer quarters. With colder weather nearing, facilities must be proactive …

Effective Business Case Development for Budget Wins and Better Care Outcomes

The phrase “budget development time” often elicits moans and groans from facility leadership. During this process, leadership usually asks the director of nursing services (DNS) if he or she has any requests of items to include in the budget. Often, the DNS makes a list of nursing department wants and …

Psychotropic Medications in the Skilled Nursing Facility: How to Manage the Process

The use of psychotropic medications in the skilled nursing facility (SNF) is a controversial issue with implications for resident, regulatory, and financial outcomes. The many requirements can be confusing, especially for a relatively new director of nursing services (DNS). This article reviews psychotropic medication requirements and offers tips to manage …