How to Implement and Sustain Changes in Practice to Comply with Appendix PP Updates

As of October 24, 2022, nursing facilities must comply with updates the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made to the surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual. Although changes to facility policies and procedures have likely been initiated, changes to practice can be very difficult …

Opioids: Three Issues That Merit Stronger Collaboration With Consultant Pharmacists

The new surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual that went into effect on Oct. 24, 2022, takes a multi-pronged approach to opioids, starting with the critical risks associated with using opioids for pain management that could lead to addiction or overdose. The guidance also addresses the …

SNFs, Are You Ready for the October 24 Survey Changes?

On Oct. 24, 2022, surveyors will begin using new survey guidance to identify noncompliance with QAPI, trauma-informed care, and resident safety, including abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) leaders should be in the process of reviewing and updating their systems and processes to maintain compliance. To ensure SNFs …

The Use of Critical Element Pathways to Identify Noncompliance

On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual. Highlights of the updates can be found in the AAPACN article “Appendix PP Revisions in the State Operations Manual: Breaking Down Key Changes,” which …

The Road to Compliance Starts with a Gap Analysis

On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual. Some are minor technical updates, while others introduce entirely new guidance. Given the enormity of the updates, along with the other challenges facility leaders …

How—and Why—to Maximize Your Staff’s Communication Skills

This Oct. 24, surveyors will begin enforcing mandatory communication training requirements to ensure that direct-care staff can communicate effectively with residents under F-tag F941 (Communication Training) in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality, Safety, and Oversight memo QSO-22-19-NH. …