In a complex care environment where workforce development and regulatory demands are constantly evolving, National Health Care Associates is setting a new standard. With a sharp focus on equipping staff at every level with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead, they’ve turned AAPACN Organizational Membership into more than a …
FY 2026 SNF VBP Program Fact Sheet (PDF) From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing (also updated with FY 2026 information) SNF VBP Program: FY 2026 Incentive Payment Multiplier Calculation Infographic (PDF). From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing/scoring-methodology-payment-adjustment
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not propose any new quality measures (QMs) for the pay-for-performance Skilled Nursing Value-Based Purchasing program (SNF VBP) in the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. However, three QMs …
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, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, discuss what to do when someone calls the Department of Health on your facility. Additional Resources:
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain significant concerns in long-term care settings. They contribute to increased morbidity, extended hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life for residents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 75% of UTIs in hospitalized patients …
Competent catheter care is crucial for preventing infections and ensuring resident safety. Facilities can use AAPACN’s Catheter Care Competency tool as a standardized guide to evaluate and verify that staff are properly trained and consistently applying best practices when providing care for residents with urinary catheters. This competency can also …
AAPACN’s GG Trivia Game is a fun education tool to help nurse aides and other direct care staff understand the performance levels and functional tasks for section GG. The nurse assessment coordinator or delegate hosts the GG Trivia Game and direct care staff are the players. The GG Trivia Game …
The long-stay Quality Measures (QMs), Percent of Residents with a Urinary Tract Infection and Percent of Residents Who Have/Had a Catheter Inserted and Left in Their Bladder, have straightforward methodology but complex underlying implications. Managing these QMs and achieving desired outcomes requires the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) and the interdisciplinary …
A well-run care conference or care plan meeting can help the interdisciplinary team (IDT) improve the resident’s quality of care and quality of life by establishing a more resident-centered, individualized, culturally competent, and trauma-informed care plan, says Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IPCO, QCP, ICC, director of reimbursement and …
Members: $25 | Non-members: $50Continuing Education: 1.25 CE hoursRecording Date: May 22, 2025 Duration: 75 minutesSpeaker: Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, QCP, CRC In today’s challenging nursing facility staffing environment, it’s easy to overlook small issues when pressed for time—especially when completing the Minimum Data Set (MDS) under pressure. But just like cracks in a …
