Nurse leaders who want to improve behavioral health management often get stuck in the “I don’t know where to start” or “I don’t know what that should look like” phase, points out Jacob Berelowitz, LNHA, LMSW, CPHQ, CCM, program director of the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing …
Facility policies serve as the backbone of consistent, safe, and compliant operations. Nursing homes rely on well-developed policies to guide staff, protect residents, and maintain compliance of care delivery that must follow state and federal regulations. The director of nursing services (DNS) plays a vital role in ensuring that facility …
Respiratory illness season is rapidly approaching once again, posing significant health concerns for vulnerable residents. The director of nursing services (DNS) must ensure facility staff can identify, manage, and help prevent these infections. Whether it’s influenza, pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or COVID-19, early recognition, prompt intervention, and strong infection …
Respiratory illnesses remain one of the most significant health concerns for residents. Early recognition, prompt intervention, and strong infection control practices are important to maintain residents’ well-being. The Caring for Residents with Respiratory Illness in-service will assist with training licensed nurses to be able to identify, manage, and help prevent …
Information on how surveyors currently manage the nursing home survey process: CMS iQIES S&C User Manual: Manage a Survey LTC Facilities v1.2 (Posted 09/03/2025) From https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss AAPACN’s latest education program, PDPM Documentation Essentials for the IDT. Additional Resources:
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Question: If an open area is found on day four after admission, is that still present on admission (7-day look-back period)? The definition of “present on admission” is “as close to admission as possible.” Answer from Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, QCP, ICC, IPCO: I do not think this would …
Question: A long-term resident went out to the hospital and returned on a skilled stay using his Managed Care plan. He has both a 5-Day and Annual scheduled for the same day, but at separate times. Do both of these get coded as “the first assessment” in A0310E? Answer from …
Question: For section GG, the nurse aides use a mechanical lift transfer with two-person assist for transfers four times, but physical therapy transfers with one person and maximal assist once. Part of the dependent definition is “helper does all the effort” – but this was not true for all transfers—would …
The nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) plays an essential role in capturing a resident’s cognitive status by coordinating and coding the Staff Assessment for Mental Status in the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) remains the preferred approach. But in certain situations, staff observations must be …
