TIP: AHRQ Launches New MDRO Toolkit

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a new Toolkit for Improving Skin Care and MDRO Prevention in Long-Term Care, which outlines four evidence-based strategies to reduce infection risks and maintain skin integrity among long-term care residents. The toolkit strategies include keeping skin clean and safe, reducing MDRO transmission, using antibiotics …

Interview About QCP Certification Integration with Jennifer Pyne at Genesis Healthcare

In skilled nursing facilities across the country, quality care is not just a standard—it is a promise to residents and families who place their trust in dedicated caregivers. At Genesis Healthcare, that promise is being strengthened through intentional investment in nursing excellence. As AAPACN celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the …

Action Plan: Preventing Hospital Readmissions

The Action Plan: Preventing Hospital Readmissions tool helps the director of nursing services (DNS) and interdisciplinary team (IDT) identify priority areas, set measurable goals, and assign accountability for reducing hospital readmissions. This fillable PDF worksheet transforms evidence-based strategies into practical next steps, empowering teams to track progress, strengthen communication, and …

How to Advance Your Career as a Nurse Assessment Coordinator (NAC) – Part Three: Proficient Level

Long-term care nurses who follow the path of becoming nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) can advance their careers and skill levels through experience and gained knowledge over time. At every stage of professional development, NACs can take steps to boost their knowledge and access AAPACN resources for success. Part three of …

Learning Timeline for AAPACN Education and Resources

Are you considering advancing your career and looking to gain knowledge to be successful in your next role? Or are you already in the position you love but looking to improve your knowledge for additional success? The Learning Timeline for AAPACN Education and Resources outlines AAPACN’s education programs and additional …

CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasing quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries while significantly reducing unnecessary spending and promoting payment accuracy. The calendar year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule advances primary care management through improved quality measures, reduces waste and unnecessary use of skin substitutes, and …

2025 Section GG Updates

In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss recent changes to section GG in the RAI User’s Manual.

Q&A: Can the physician certification be met through a detailed order versus a separate certification form?

Question: Can the physician certification be met through a detailed order versus a separate certification form?   Answer from Jessie McGill RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT: CMS does not mandate a specific form or format, but to meet the requirements, the certification must have all the required information. This is found …

Q&A: We have a resident that had a qualifying hospital stay (QHS), then went to an LTACH for more than 30 days. Can the resident utilize their Medicare benefits since the transfer from acute hospital to SNF is more than 30 days?

Question: We have a resident that had a qualifying hospital stay (QHS), then went to a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) for more than 30 days. Can the resident still utilize their Medicare benefits in our skilled nursing facility (SNF) or not, since the transfer from acute hospital to SNF …

Q&A: What is the look-back period for K0100? The RAI User’s Manual does not mention the look-back period or if this can include days during the hospital stay?

Question: What is the look-back period for K0100? The RAI User’s Manual does not mention the look-back period or if this can include days during the hospital stay? Answer from Jennifer LaBay RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC: When a look-back period is not specifically mentioned, the look-back is 7 days. …