In this LTC DON Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, discuss goal setting for directors of nursing services in 2026. Additional Resource:
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The SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment/Analysis, and Recommendation/Request) tool is a standardized, structured communication framework that has been consistently promoted by such quality-focused organizations as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the American Society for Quality, and the Joint Commission to improve communication in multiple …
Effective communication is essential for safe person-centered care. But even the most dedicated caregivers can face significant challenges when language barriers arise. As resident demographics shift and the post-acute care workforce has grown more diverse, communication with both residents and coworkers whose native language is not English can be daunting. …
In the cadence of long-term care, few diagnoses demand as much coordination, patience, and understanding as Parkinson’s disease (PD). This progressive neurological disorder affects every aspect of a resident’s life, from movement and mobility to cognition, communication, and emotional well-being. For the director of nursing services (DNS), ensuring that nurses …
Caring for residents with Parkinson’s disease requires insight, empathy, and teamwork. The Caring for Residents with Parkinson’s Disease in-service provides CNAs and care staff with practical strategies for recognizing symptoms, supporting safe mobility, improving communication, and ensuring safe mealtimes. With an emphasis on observation, timely reporting, and strong interdisciplinary collaboration, …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the official Long-Stay Nursing Home – Falls with Major Injury Respecification: Technical Specification Report for the Falls with Major Injury (FMI) measure. This report incorporates feedback received during the cross-setting Technical Expert Panel (TEP) held on May 12 and 14, …
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual Version (V)18.0 is now available along with associated files. Additionally, the updated .zip file titled MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual v18.0 Effective 1-1-2026 and Associated User Manual Files.zip includes a complete set of six files: From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/quality-measures
Interim final rule with comment period. SUMMARY: This interim final rule with comment period repeals provisions of the final rule titled “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting.” This action is taken in view of changes made by by public …
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Time: 1-2 PM ET https://cma.ahrq.gov/cma/welcome.jsp This one-hour webcast will introduce Version 2.0 of the Surveys on Patient Safety Culture® (SOPS®) Nursing Home Survey, highlighting key improvements–including a shortened and more focused survey–and results from a pilot test with 27 nursing homes. Speakers from AMI Expeditionary Healthcare will describe their …
The November update of Appendix B to the MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual contains changes to the list of State RAI Coordinators, MDS Automation Coordinators, and CMS locations and contacts. To ensure accurate formatting, use a current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF. Web-based or mobile browser plug-ins may affect …
