Rethinking Pain Management: Non-pharmacological Solutions for a Holistic Approach

Pain management is an essential piece of the care provided in long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) settings. Many residents experience acute or chronic pain due to a variety of conditions, such as postsurgical recovery, arthritis, and neuropathy. Pain traditionally was managed with pharmacological interventions, including narcotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. …

Ways NACs Can Advance Their Quality Measures Knowledge

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, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss ways nurse assessment coordinators can advance their Quality Measures knowledge. Additional Resources:Quality Measure IQ Series: Pressure Ulcer Measures – ArticleQuality …

Breathe Easy: Code Respiratory Therapy Accurately

In long-term care (LTC) facilities, many residents need care for chronic and acute respiratory problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, tracheostomy, and post-COVID complications. LTC nurses need to know how to manage these complex conditions. In many situations, the care meets the criteria of respiratory therapy per …

The Basics of Enhanced Barrier Precautions – April 14, 2025

Members and Non-members: FreeContinuing Education: 1 CE hourRecording Date: April 14, 2025Duration: 60 minutesSpeakers: Joan Hebden, MS, RN, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, and Deb Patterson Burdsall, PhD, RN-BC, CIC, LTC-CIP, FAPIC Long-term care (LTC) staff provide high-contact resident care and therefore are frequently exposed to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). During this 60-minute webinar, Joan Hebden, MS, RN, …

Ethics in MDS Coding: Reimbursement and Quality Measures

In long-term care, the Minimum Data Set (MDS) ensures appropriate care planning, accurate reimbursement, and quality measurement while maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations. However, MDS coding may pose some ethical challenges. Completing the MDS accurately and according to the Long-term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual …

Shifting Mindsets on Infection Prevention and Control: From Policy Adherence to Personal Ownership for Staff

An effective Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) goes beyond compliance with policies and ideally reflects a cultural shift toward personal responsibility. The nurse leader has a key role in helping healthcare professionals recognize their part in preventing infections and understanding how their actions directly impact resident safety. The goal …

Enhancing DNS Leadership Skills for Team Resiliency

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 how directors of nursing services can advance their leadership skills to help their teams be more resilient to the evolving …

Quality Measure IQ Series: Pressure Ulcer Measures

Quality Measure (QM) reporting on pressure ulcers is a significant metric used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to help ensure that nursing homes provide high-quality care to vulnerable residents. Those residents with impaired mobility, chronic health issues, and complex comorbidities have a higher risk of developing …

Follow-Up Answers to Q&A from Beneficiary Notices Jan. 30, 2025, AAPACN Webinar

In this podcast, 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 for AAPACN, address some of the questions that were asked during the AAPACN Webinar, “SNF ABN, NOMNC, DENC – What Has Changed for this …