The Dementia Physician Query tool supports accurate clinical documentation by helping providers clarify the type, severity, and associated manifestations of a resident’s dementia diagnosis using information documented in the medical record. The tool also allows providers to identify when diagnostic details, including dementia type, severity, or behavioral manifestations, are unknown …
AAPACN’s ADR Help: HIPPS Code Analyzer interactive tool helps identify the documentation elements that may have contributed to the HIPPS code assigned to an assessment selected for Additional Documentation Request (ADR) review. Designed to support the ADR record review process, the tool highlights the clinical, coding, and documentation areas that …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the “Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines” guidance several times since requiring COVID-19 vaccinations to be coded on the MDS as of October 2024. Facility teams can track these changes by using AAPACN’s COVID-19 Vaccine “Up to Date” Guidance …
Starting Oct. 1, 2024, additional supporting documentation is required to capture a diagnosis of sepsis at I2100, Septicemia on the MDS. Nurse assessment coordinators can use the AAPACN Sepsis: Nurse Documentation Training Aid to provide guidance to nurses on assessment and documentation needs when a resident is diagnosed with sepsis. …
The AAPACN ICD-10-CM Coding Decision Tool: Obesity and BMI Reporting helps long-term care staff accurately determine when BMI and obesity-related ICD-10-CM codes can be reported while ensuring compliance with provider documentation requirements. This tool guides users through coding decisions, clarifies the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) non-therapy ancillary (NTA) point impacts, …
Orientation for a new nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) is a very complex and long process. It is important to establish a realistic schedule that will allow for effective learning but will not be overwhelming. AAPACN’s new 10-Week NAC Orientation Guide will help pace the orientation process and set the foundation …
This tool is designed to help facilities ensure the safe, appropriate, and compliant use of psychotropic medications. It guides staff through a structured review of each resident’s medication, including diagnosis support, informed consent, behavior documentation, non-pharmalogical interventions, gradual dose reductions, and care plan alignment. By using this audit regularly, facilities …
This quick reference tool helps interdisciplinary team members accurately distinguish between traumatic and pathological fractures for ICD-10-CM and MDS coding. It provides side-by-side guidance on coding rules, 7th character use, section I diagnosis coding (including I8000), and MDS item J1900C (falls with major injury). Use this tool to improve coding …
The director of nursing services should review ancillary billing monthly to ensure that all billed services and supplies are clinically appropriate, documented accurately, and supported by skilled nursing care. The DNS can use this Ancillary Billing Review Checklist to help confirm compliance with Medicare Part A and Part B rules, …
The Long-Stay Antipsychotic Measure: Data Source and Look-Back Guide can be used by interdisciplinary teams to simplify the complex data sources and timeframes used in this measure. The tool clearly outlines numerator criteria and key exclusions, while identifying how MDS, pharmacy, and claims data contribute to calculation. Designed as a …
