Q&A: A resident was admitted to our facility on Medicare Part A and passed in facility after only a couple of hours. I had scheduled a 5-Day/Admission for the 7th day before she passed. How do I set up MDS assessments?

Question: A resident was admitted to our facility on Medicare Part A and passed in facility after only a couple of hours. I had scheduled a 5-Day/Admission for the 7th day before she passed. How do I set up MDS assessments? I know I can’t combine the death in facility …

SNF ABN, NOMNC, DENC – What Has Changed for This Alphabet Soup of Notices? – Jan. 30, 2025

Members: $25 |  Non-members: $50Continuing Education: 1.25 CE hoursRecording Date: Jan. 30, 2025Duration: 75 minutesSpeaker: Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC The alphabet soup of the Medicare beneficiary notices initiative (BNI) recently got a new recipe, and understanding these changes is critical for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). With recent updates impacting the SNF …

Demystifying the Discharge Function Score for Post-Acute Care

By Greg Seiple Navigating the complexities of healthcare, especially in post-acute care, can often feel daunting. For professionals involved in skilled nursing facilities, understanding the metrics that influence patient care is crucial. One of these key metrics is the Discharge Function Score (DFS), a valuable tool that helps gauge a …

Why Getting MDS Right Is Non-Negotiable: The Importance of MDS Accuracy

Written by Kristine Martinez BSN, RN, RAC-CTA, QCP Completing a Minimum Data Set (MDS) correctly is no small task. With approximately 510 answers or choices on a comprehensive MDS (not including CAA investigation), and approximately530 answers or choices on a 5-day MDS, the potential for missed or miscoded information on any …

Direct-Care Staff Are Front-Line Defenders Against Sepsis: What They Need to Know

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the risk of developing sepsis has increased nationwide, according to the September 2024 report An Assessment of Sepsis in the United States and Its Burden on Hospital Care (Sepsis Assessment) from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Sepsis-related inpatient stays in …

Emergency Preparedness Plan: How the DNS Can Ensure the Nursing Department Is Ready When Disaster Strikes

Emergency preparedness is a vital component of maintaining safety and ensuring continuity of care in post-acute care settings. Facilities face unique challenges in emergency situations. The vulnerable people they care for, including the elderly and those recovering from surgery or a serious illness, are especially susceptible to adverse outcomes. The …

LTPAC Onboarding and Orientation Process Pitfalls

In this podcast, 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 for AAPACN, discuss some common pitfalls of the onboarding and orientation process in long-term and post-acute care settings and how to set new …

Emergency Preparedness In-service Education

Long-term care facilities face unique problems when disasters strike. Staff’s quick thinking and correct action can protect staff members, residents, and families. Use this in-service education to prepare staff for when a disaster occurs. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or print one copy for …

How to Prepare for AAPACN Certification  

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialists with AAPACN, discuss best practices to prepare for an AAPACN certification. Additional Resources:

Mastering the Discharge Function Score for Skilled Nursing Facilities

By Greg Seiple Discharge planning is an essential component of patient care in skilled nursing facilities. But how do healthcare professionals determine when a resident is ready to leave and manage daily activities independently? Enter the Discharge Function Score—a critical tool in evaluating a resident’s ability to function outside of …