Skilled Nursing Facility COVID-19 Related Waivers At-a-Glance

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued several blanket waivers and updates during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). While many of these waivers have already been terminated, several will remain in place through the end of the PHE. AAPACN has updated the SNF COVID-19 Related Waivers At-a-Glance tool to …

Emergency Crash Cart Checklist and Crash Cart Daily Signature Log

Emergency crash carts need to be ready at all times to use in case of an emergency. Use AAPACN’s Emergency Crash Cart Checklist and Crash Cart Daily Signature Log to ensure that readiness. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full or in part, please complete a permissions form. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donning and Doffing Competency Tool

Understanding how to put on (don) and remove (doff) personal protective equipment (PPE) will be critical in mitigating risk for COVID-19. Download AAPACN’s Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donning and Doffing Competency Tool. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or print one copy for use within …

Prepare for a Conversation with Leadership Using SBAR

Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) work in a unique role. They have the responsibility of managing the MDS but are often not in supervisory position over the interdisciplinary team members that complete portions of the MDS. When issues arise, from untimely completion of MDS sections to missed documentation that could impact …

Schizophrenia Care Planning Checklist by Federal Source

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced they would be conducting audits on MDS coding of residents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. With the increased scrutiny of this diagnosis, nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) and interdisciplinary team (IDT) members should validate the accuracy of the schizophrenia diagnosis and …

Retaining Talent: Check-In with New Employee Template

When new employees see their leader is invested in their success, including proficiency in their job performance as well as becoming a part of team, the odds of retaining the employee increase dramatically. AAPACN’s Retaining Talent: Check-In with New Employee Template will guide leaders to check in with employees over …

Medicare Medical Review Contractors Overview

Since the Medicare program is heavily monitored for improper payments to protect the Medicare Trust Fund, it is likely your facility will experience a medical review by a Medicare contractor. The AAPACN Medicare Medical Review Contractors Overview tool provides a summary of the different types of Medicare contractors that may …

Medical Record Alert Sheet

While completing MDS assessments, nurse assessment coordinators can monitor for regulatory compliance during the chart review. If compliance issues arise, leadership should be notified to correct them. NACs can utilize AAPACN’s Medical Record Alert Sheet to communicate compliance issues identified during the MDS/RAI process to clinical leadership, the administrator, or …