Updated FY 2028 SNF VBP Performance Standards

This communication pertains to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program performance standards for the Number of Hospitalizations per 1,000 Long Stay Resident Days (Long Stay Hospitalization) measure which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published in the FY 2026 SNF Prospective Payment …

iQIES Assessment Management: Assessment Submitter Manual

This document shows how to upload assessments, create and manage assessments, complete change requests, and review Final Validation Reports (FVR) in iQIES. Nov 18, 2025 CMS iQIES Assessment Management for Assessment Submitter v2.2 From https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals

2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles

On November 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2026 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2026 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts.  Medicare Part A Premium and Deductible Medicare Part A covers inpatient …

How to Build Trust With Physicians and Develop a Collaborative Partnership

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 how directors of nursing services can use communication to build physician trust, as …

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 …

Turning Difficult Conversations into Chances for Collaboration

In long-term and post-acute care, communication is everything. Most days, conversations with residents, families, and staff flow smoothly. But every so often, a chat takes a sharp turn, voices rise, tempers flare, or emotions spill over. These moments can be stressful, yet they are also an opportunity to build trust …

Preventing Hospital Readmissions: How Effective Nurse Leaders Can Turn the Tide

Hospital readmissions remain one of the most persistent challenges for long-term post-acute care (LTPAC) facilities. National data shows that roughly 13% to 14% of all hospitalized patients are readmitted within 30 days (Burke et al., 2022). But the rate among nursing home residents can climb significantly to 20% to 25% …

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 …

7 Tips for Avoiding F656 Care Plan Citations and Building a Culture of Proactive Care Planning

F656, Comprehensive Care Plans, is one of the most commonly cited F-tags during survey in nursing homes; however, with intentional processes in place, these citations are largely preventable. A proactive approach to care planning ensures that each resident’s plan is accurate, up to date, and reflective of their individual needs …