Extended Q&A from the AAPACN May 18 Live Webinar on Upcoming MDS Changes

In this podcast, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss some of the most pressing questions about the draft RAI User’s Manual v1.18.11.

Q&A: Please clarify when a device would or would not be considered a restraint?

Question: Can a winged versus a concave mattress be considered a restraint if it fits the definition? Can a tilt and space wheelchair be considered a restraint? It is being explained to me that it is not a restraint. Can someone please clarify when a device would or would not …

Q&A: If a resident on a Medicare Part A stay expires the same day as admission, is it a billable day?

Question: If a resident on a Medicare Part A stay expires the same day as admission, is it a billable day? Answer from Carol Maher, RN-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, RAC-CT, CPC:Yes, if a Medicare A resident dies on the day of admission, it is a billable day. You can adjust …

Q&A: A long-term resident has had a feeding tube for more than 10 years. He exhausted Medicare Part A benefits years ago. Can he be skilled with the new G-tube placement?

Question: A long-term resident has had a feeding tube for more than 10 years. He exhausted his Medicare Part A benefits years ago. He recently experienced recurrent aspiration and had an extended hospitalization with a new G-tube placed. Can he be skilled with the new G-tube placement? Answer from Jennifer …

TIP: The COVID-19 PHE Ended – Tools and Resources

The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, has marked the end of many waivers, including the 3-day qualifying hospital stay and benefit period waivers. For many new nurse assessment coordinators (NACs), this may be their first experience working outside the allowances of the waivers. …

CMS QSO Memo Reminds Hospitals of Discharge Requirements for Hospital Discharges to Post-Acute Care Providers

Memo # QSO-23-16-Hospitals Posting Date 2023-06-06 Fiscal Year 2023 CMS is committed to ensuring that the health and safety of patients are protected when discharges from hospitals and transfers to post-acute care providers occur. Therefore, we are providing the following information: • Reminding state agencies (SAs), accrediting organizations (AOs), and …

LTCSP Survey Resources: Surveyor Tools Updated

This ZIP file contains resources for surveyors conducting initial surveys under the Long-term Care Survey Process (LTCSP). It is a one-stop shop containing a multitude of reference materials that are provided to the surveyors going into facilities, including, for example, a document detailing their principles of documentation, a document showing …

MDS Data Specifications V3.01.1 (FINAL) and OSA Data Specifications V3.01.0 (FINAL) Posted

The MDS Data Specifications V3.01.1 (FINAL) and the OSA Data Specifications V3.01.0 (FINAL) are now available for download.  These specifications will go into effect on October 1, 2023. There are both item and edit updates in the FINAL version, so please review the Item Change and Edit Change Reports.  The version …

Final MDS 3.0 Item Sets v. 1.18.11 effective Oct. 1, 2023–Updated

The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version (v)1.18.11 have been updated and are now available. The NP, NPE, and SD Item Sets have been replaced with revised versions; the remaining item sets remain unchanged from the last posted version. The MDS Item Sets v1.18.11 will be effective …

TIP: CMS Releases Final Rule Lifting Vaccine Requirements for Healthcare Personnel

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule on May 31, 2023, withdrawing the federal requirement of COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare personnel (HCP). Although the requirement is being lifted, CMS continues to encourage staff vaccination through other programs such as the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting …