Mentoring, Coaching, and Counseling, Oh My! How They All Fit Into The Disciplinary Process

As the leader of the nursing department, the director of nursing services (DNS) plays an integral role in the disciplinary process. Managing employee performance can be challenging, but it is necessary. Failure to address employees’ negative behaviors and actions can destroy morale among the staff. Knowing when and how to …

Nonpharmacological Pain Management: How Nursing and Therapy Can Collaborate

Historically, pain is underassessed and undertreated in the geriatric population, says Liz Barlow, RN, CRRN, RAC-CT, DNS-CT, QCP, vice president of marketing at Synchrony Health Services in Louisville, KY. “Up to 75 percent of community-dwelling people over the age of 65 in the United States report experiencing chronic pain.” The …

Common Barriers and Risks Associated with Care Planning and How the DNS Can Support the Nursing Team

In this podcast, 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, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss common barriers in the care planning process, the risks of delaying care plan updates, and how the director of nursing …

SNF QRP and SNF VBP Claims-Based Measure Manual and Accompanying Files – Available

This document presents technical specifications for the production of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims-based measures (CBMs) for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program maintained by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The measures are intended to promote informed decisions among Medicare …

How the DNS Can Lead the Team Before, During, and After an Emergency

Emergencies can occur at any moment. Fires, hurricanes, snowstorms, ice storms, water main breaks, power outages, and outbreaks are just a few of the emergencies nursing homes must prepare for throughout the year. However, in September 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) …

QAPI: How to Maximize Performance Improvement as well as Quality Assurance

The continuing expansion of the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing program (SNF VBP) quality measure (QM) set is part of a multi-pronged approach by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to encourage improvements in the quality of care for nursing home residents. The SNF VBP focuses on financial …

OIG General Compliance Program Guidance (GCPG) Updated

The GCPG is a reference guide for the health care compliance community and other health care stakeholders.  The GCPG provides information about relevant Federal laws, compliance program infrastructure, OIG resources, and other items useful for understanding health care compliance. The GCPG is voluntary guidance that discusses general compliance risks and compliance programs.  The GCPG …

The Dietitian’s Role in Nursing and Reimbursement

To meet residents’ individualized needs, the director of nursing services (DNS) requires the expertise of many healthcare professionals working collaboratively, including the dietitian. This tool provides guidance on how to enhance collaboration between the nursing and dietary departments. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or …

SNF VBP QMs: What Just Happened, What’s Next—and What the DNS Should Monitor

On Oct. 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) kicked off a critical step in expanding the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing program (SNF VBP) quality measure (QM) set. This expansion means that the director of nursing services (DNS) will need to work with both staff and …