Surveyors use critical element pathways (CEPs) to work through the steps of their investigation and to determine compliance with several federal regulations. In addition to CEPs, other tools including observational guides are also used to direct the surveyors’ review of the facility. These same tools are available for facility leaders …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webinar on Thursday, January 29, 2026, about the LEAD Model, including model goals, participation options, eligibility and payment methodology. The LEAD Model team will also provide more information on the application process, timeline and resources. Session information and the registration link …
Infection Prevention Learning Journey Description The Infection Prevention Learning Journey introduces learners to concepts found in the Hierarchy of Controls that will enhance infection prevention and control knowledge and skills. Learning modules in the course will cover three levels of the Hierarchy of Controls: engineering, administrative, and personal protective equipment …
Register Today! CDC Webinar: Preventing and Responding to Respiratory Infections and Outbreaks in Long-Term Care – Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 1:00 pm ET – Long-term care (LTC) residents are at high risk for respiratory infections and severe illness. Project Firstline invites partners to join an upcoming webinar featuring CDC experts and the …
Key report excerpts re: SNFs: Within the Traditional Medicare program, reducing improper payments remains a challenge. The improper payment rate reported in FY 2024, 7.66 percent, has not decreased from the rates reported in FYs 2022 or 2023. The four categories with the largest dollars in improper payments in FY 2024 …
The PBJ system has been updated to accept optional hire and termination dates up to 12/31/2050. CMS helpdesk is starting to get tickets regarding this update, so we are following up with clarifications. Please ensure that your systems are updated so that your submissions are not impacted. The full memo is …
CMS created the Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily. The Nursing Home Compare Web site features a quality rating system that gives each nursing home a rating of between 1 and 5 stars. Nursing homes with 5 stars are considered …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a recorded presentation that describes the new data validation process. This training will support skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in understanding the purpose and structure of the data validation process including the notification and submission process, required activities for selected SNFs, …
The Monthly DNS/Medical Director Meeting Template is a practical tool designed to support structured, action-oriented collaboration between the director of nursing services (DNS) and the medical director. This template helps guide focused monthly discussions by prompting review of prior action items, quality metrics and trends, high-risk resident concerns, medication and …
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. In the LTC DON Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification for AAPACN, and Lauren Stenson, MSN, …
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