CDC: Implementation of PPE in Nursing Homes to Prevent Spread of MDROs

https://www.cdc.gov/long-term-care-facilities/hcp/prevent-mdro/PPE.html KEY POINTS How to implement personal protective equipment (PPE) use in nursing homes to prevent spread of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). Summary of recent changes Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes – Video, Posters, Pocket Guide Videos Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes …

Physician Services: How to Level Up From F-Tag Compliance to Better Quality of Care

In calendar year 2023, F712 (Physician Visits – Frequency/Timeliness/Alternate Nonphysician Practitioners (NPPs)) was the most frequently cited F-tag among the six physician services citations—and only 0.8 percent of nursing homes received that citation, according to QCOR data released April 10, 2024. For immediate jeopardy citations, F710 (Resident’s Care Supervised by …

Improving Resident Outcomes Through Collaboration

Improving resident outcomes is a top priority for nursing home teams. Outcomes, good or bad, not only affect the residents and their families but also influence the facility’s Quality Measures (QMs), Five-Star ratings, and regulatory results. Collaboration is key to achieving improvement, or at the very least, preventing decline. This …

Prepare for a Collaboration with Therapy Using SBAR

Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual states that every resident must receive treatment and care to promote the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. This optimal treatment and care requires collaboration. When the nursing department involves therapy in discussions about changes in residents’ conditions, they can improve resident …

The Importance of Facility Culture

In this podcast, Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, and Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, discuss facility culture—what it is, why it’s important, and how listeners can assess and implement strategies to improve their culture. Additional …

Seven Ways NACs Can Be Proactive With New Medicare Advantage Plan Rules

A skilled nursing facility (SNF) accepts a resident in a Medicare Advantage plan for admission after the plan provides a prior authorization. The resident receives skilled services for the allotted amount of time, and the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) and the rest of the interdisciplinary team follow the plan’s rules. …

SNF QRP: Where Is It? Where Is It Going?

Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) today must manage more than 40 Quality Measures (QMs) from several different programs: the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 QMs, Five-Star Quality Rating System, SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program, and SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP). The scope of quality management and improvement can be overwhelming, and …

MDS Tools to Make the NAC’s Job Easier

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialists for AAPACN, discuss AAPACN tools that make the nurse assessment coordinator’s (NAC’s) job easier. Additional Resources:

MDS Coding Criteria for Restorative Nursing Programs

Restorative nursing programs must meet specific criteria to code on the MDS. Failure to meet these criteria will result in inability to capture restorative nursing on the MDS. Nurse assessment coordinators can use the MDS Coding Criteria for Restorative Nursing Programs tool to audit documentation and provide education to nurses …

HHS Office of Civil Rights: Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities Final Rule

AGENCY: Office for Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services; Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services. ACTION: Final rule and interpretation. SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or the Department) is issuing this final rule regarding …