Question: When remote MDS support is used, may the remote MDS worker enter resident interviews documented in the medical record during the look-back period and sign the MDS for those sections, such as the BIMS and PHQ-2 to 9? Answer from Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, QCP, ICC, IPCO: …
This user manual provides information for CMS, Providers, Vendors, Accrediting Organizations, Contractors, and State Agencies to effectively perform Reports functions and the processes necessary to request, view, download, and save reports in iQIES. From https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Section GG is one of the most challenging sections of the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The instructions alone span 36 pages in the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual (RAI User’s Manual). Complex task definitions, …
Question: If a resident falls because they were pushed or struck by another resident or object and sustains a fracture, should the fracture be coded as a major injury related to a fall? On page J-33 it states we would not count it as a fracture related to a fall …
AAPACN’s GG Trivia Games are fun education tools 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 comes …
Question: Should a Significant Change in Status Assessment (SCSA) be completed for a resident who develops two new venous stasis ulcers? Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, CRC: What else has changed with this resident? The decline must impact more than one area of the resident’s health status, not …
Question: A resident has had a Stage 4 pressure ulcer for years. The provider is now documenting the wound as skin failure/Kennedy terminal ulcer. Is this appropriate, and should the ulcer no longer be coded as a pressure ulcer? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: This ulcer …
This document shows how to upload assessments, create and manage assessments, complete change requests, review Final Validation Reports (FVR), and use the Validation Utility Tool (VUT) in iQIES. Jun 24, 2026 From https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
Announced on 06/29/2026 | Last Modified on 06/29/2026 | Project Number: OEI-02-23-00202 Status Active Agency Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services OBJECTIVE The overuse of antipsychotic drugs presents a risk to nursing home residents, particularly those with dementia. These drugs are not approved to treat dementia, and the Food and Drug Administration has warned that …
By Sandra Rich, RN | SVP of Clinical Reimbursement, Limitlessli If you coordinate MDS assessments in a skilled nursing facility, you already know the Discharge Function Score is one of the most consequential measurements you’ll capture. It influences your facility’s Quality Reporting Program performance and ultimately how your facility is …
