FY 2026 SNF PPS Final Rule Posted

On July 31, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule for updates to Medicare payment policies and rates for skilled nursing facilities under the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2026. CMS is publishing this final rule in …

Safe Injection, Infusion, Medication Vial, and Point-of-Care Testing Practices in Healthcare (2025)

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has released an updated position paper titled “Safe Injection, Infusion, Medication Vial, and Point-of-Care Testing Practices in Health care (2025),” published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC). This update builds upon APIC’s 2016 position paper and reflects advancements in science, updated regulatory …

Get Ready for the FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Coding Updates – Aug. 21, 2025

Members: $25 | Non-members: $50Continuing Education: 1.5 CE hoursRecording Date: Aug. 21, 2025 Duration: 90 minutesSpeaker: Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC It is time to prepare for the FY 2026 ICD-10-CM coding updates, which go into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. HIPAA requires that the facility’s clinical team ensure accurate diagnoses are …

Light the Fuse on Five-Star Success – July 24, 2025

Members: $25 | Non-members: $50Continuing Education: 1.5 CE hoursRecording Date: July 24, 2025 Duration: 90 minutesSpeaker: Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA The Fourth of July fireworks are over, so now it’s time to light a new fuse—on Five-Star success! Nearly every piece of Minimum Data Set (MDS) coding plays a role in shaping …

TIP: CDC Releases LTCF COVID-19 Module Facility Dashboard

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) recently released the NHSN COVID-19 Dashboard for long-term care facilities. This user-friendly tool offers customizable, interactive charts and a clear summary of COVID-19 data specific to each facility. Facilities can use the accompanying guide to navigate the …

Confidence as a Culture: Empowering the Team

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 Lauren Stenson, MSN, RN, CNDLTC, QCP, DNS-CT, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss ways directors of nursing services can build confidence in their staff. Whether on-boarding new hires, supporting burned-out nurses, …

Prepared and Compliant: A Proactive Approach to Enteral Feeding Care Management

The director of nursing services (DNS) is preparing for her first annual survey. She wants to take a proactive approach regarding facility residents with enteral feedings. However, as a relatively new DNS, she is unsure where to begin. Sound familiar? This article will provide a process to assist the DNS …

Enteral Nutrition Checklist

It’s important that long-term care residents receive enteral nutrition in a safe, effective, and consistent manner. Utilize AAPACN’s Enteral Nutrition Checklist to ensure documentation is complete and residents are receiving appropriate nutrition, medications, and treatment for their enteral tube feeding. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may …

How Eventide Is Investing in Nurses, Building Resilience, and Supporting Leadership

At Eventide Senior Living, people come first. From residents to staff, the organization understands that delivering high-quality care starts with a confident, well-supported team. That’s why Eventide has taken a thoughtful and proactive approach to training and development. One that empowers nurses, strengthens operations, and opens doors to career advancement. …