Medical Record Audit: New Admission/Readmission

The admission process can be lengthy, and staff can miss important details. Use the Medical Record Audit: New Admission/Readmission checklist to ensure the facility has obtained critical information from newly admitted and readmitted residents and appropriately documented it in the medical record. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual …

Section M Pressure Ulcer/Injury: Algorithms for Present on Admission

Properly coding pressure ulcers or injuries can be tricky. AAPACN’s Section M Pressure Ulcer/Injury: Algorithms for Present on Admission helps guide the assessor on whether to code present on admission in variety of situations.     This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or print one copy …

MDS v1.18.11 Is Here: How to Double-Check Efficiency for Long-Term Success

Now that the MDS version 1.18.11 item sets and the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual v1.18.11 are in play, there are still steps that nurse assessment coordinators can take to ensure that MDS processes are as efficient as possible under the new system. These include the …

4 Essential MDS Changes Documents NACs May Have Missed

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User’s Manual version 1.18.11, and also a document outlining the draft-to-final changes and updated item sets (v.1.18.11 v5). But the updates and clarifications don’t end there. Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) need …

CMS QSO Memo: Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program Revisions

Memo # QSO-23-23-NHs Posting Date 2023-09-25 Fiscal Year 2023 Title Memorandum Summary CMS is committed to reinvesting civil money penalty (CMP) funds for projects to support the quality of care and life for nursing home residents in a consistent and equitable manner. Therefore, we are revising the structure of the …

Implement the New and Revised Resident Interviews on the MDS: How to Be Ready for Oct. 1

Most of the changes in the MDS version 1.18.11 item sets and the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual v1.18.11 are resident-driven, says Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, a curriculum development specialist with AAPACN. “More than ever, resident interviews are the primary source of MDS …

Preparing for Success with ICD-10-CM Changes Oct. 1: How the Facility Coder and Provider Can Ensure Accurate Diagnosis Codes

Effective International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) coding relies on meticulous clinical documentation. It’s not just about assigning codes; it’s about ensuring consistent and comprehensive documentation that substantiates every facet and the specificity of a diagnosis. This documentation should originate from a provider, that is, a physician …

Behavioral Health Education and Training: How to Ensure Staff Can Meet Resident Needs

The guidance to surveyors in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual addresses behavioral health education, training, and competencies under two separate F-tags: Did the facility have sufficient staff who provide direct services and implement non-pharmacological interventions to meet the behavioral health care needs of the resident, as determined by …

Provider ICD-10-CM Documentation Tip Sheet for Long-Term Care

ICD-10-CM coding requires consistent and complete documentation from the provider (physician/nonphysician practitioner) to support all aspects and specific details of the diagnosis. This AAPACN Provider ICD-10-CM Documentation Tip Sheet for Long-Term Care tool serves as a companion to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) presentation ICD-10 and Clinical …

Oct. 1, 2023 Will See Performance Period Data Collection for Five SNF VBP QMs

The key takeaway of the Fiscal Year (FY 2024) Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) final rule, published on Aug. 7, 2023, is that the director of nursing services (DNS) will need to hit the ground running on Oct. 1, 2023, with a systematic, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary approach …