Written by Amy Jo, PT, COQS, PCC, chief clinical and strategy officer, Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc. Over 3 million Medicare recipients receive home healthcare services annually. Individuals recovering from illnesses, surgeries, or managing chronic conditions depend on home healthcare for support in the comfort of their homes. For …
Article contributed by AAPACN Solution Provider MDS Consultants By Kristine Martinez BSN, RN, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, QCP, DNS-CT It is a bit odd that when asked what you do for a living most MDS coordinators struggle to come up with an answer. Who struggles to explain what they do every day? …
Article contributed by AAPACN Solution Provider Synchrony Pharmacy In today’s ever-evolving landscape of post-acute care, providing exceptional resident outcomes and maintaining compliance with rigorous clinical standards are top priorities for post-acute care nurses. At Synchrony Pharmacy, we understand the critical role that medication management and clinical partnership play in achieving …
Article contributed by AAPACN Solution Provider Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) In 2025, CMS has highlighted critical focus areas for surveyors conducting health inspections in Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities. These priorities emphasize improving care quality, enhancing regulatory compliance, and ensuring resident well-being. I read the recently released CMS 2025 Mission & …
Article contributed by AAPACN Solution Provider MED-PASS By Bradley Slye, MPH and Stacy Yale, RN, BSN Nursing homes across the country face persistent challenges, from staffing shortages and budget constraints to evolving regulatory requirements. These pressures can make it feel overwhelming (or even impossible!) to meet surveyors’ standards while ensuring …
By Greg Seiple Navigating the complexities of healthcare, especially in post-acute care, can often feel daunting. For professionals involved in skilled nursing facilities, understanding the metrics that influence patient care is crucial. One of these key metrics is the Discharge Function Score (DFS), a valuable tool that helps gauge a …
Written by Kristine Martinez BSN, RN, RAC-CTA, QCP Completing a Minimum Data Set (MDS) correctly is no small task. With approximately 510 answers or choices on a comprehensive MDS (not including CAA investigation), and approximately530 answers or choices on a 5-day MDS, the potential for missed or miscoded information on any …
By Greg Seiple Discharge planning is an essential component of patient care in skilled nursing facilities. But how do healthcare professionals determine when a resident is ready to leave and manage daily activities independently? Enter the Discharge Function Score—a critical tool in evaluating a resident’s ability to function outside of …
Written by: Jessica Stucin, RN, BSN, LNHA, RAC-CT, Assistant Director of Education, MDS Consultants On Jan. 18, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced they will be conducting offsite audits in nursing homes for assessment accuracy and coding of residents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Along with …
Written by Michael Daniels, RN, DNS-CT, QCP, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA All one needs to do is peruse the long-term care (LTC)/skilled nursing facility (SNF) job openings online for a few minutes to realize that something is amiss. Frenzied healthcare staffing recruiters seem to crawl from the woodwork as they compete to …
