Articles from AAPACN
Browse expert-written articles on topics that impact your everyday work. Find practical and compelling content written by AAPACN nursing experts who scour through mountains of information to identify the breaking news you need to do your job, to help your team perform, and to improve resident outcomes. Want access to all AAPACN articles? Learn more about AAPACN and AAPACN membership.
- Strengthening Quality Through the Director of Nursing Services/Medical Director Partnership
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. In long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC), few leadership relationships have as much influence on clinical outcomes, regulatory compliance, and organizational culture as the … - How to Handle Difficult Conversations with Staff: A Leadership Guide
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. One of your nurses struggles with timely, accurate documentation, but you dread talking with her about the situation. She is a valuable team … - Why Directors of Nursing Services Must Be Well-Versed in PDPM and How to Ensure Documentation Accuracy
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. In today’s skilled nursing facility (SNF) landscape, the director of nursing services (DNS) is critical not only in overseeing resident care but also … - Major Changes on Falls with Major Injury QMs
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. The Oct. 1, 2025, update to the definitions of “fall” and “major injury” in the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s … - Navigating Resident/Representative Notifications About Care Plan and Condition Changes
Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. Mandates to notify or inform the resident and/or their representative about an array of clinical and service issues are woven throughout the resident … - F641: The Importance of Accurate MDS Coding
F641, Accuracy of the Minimum Data Set (MDS), remains one of the most frequently cited F-Tags during surveys, for good reason. The MDS is a critical foundation of resident assessment, care planning, reimbursement, and quality … - Simplifying the SNF ABN: Helping Residents Understand Their Options
When a resident’s Medicare Part A skilled stay ends, two types of resident notification processes may be required under the Beneficiary Notices Initiative: the standard denial process and the expedited appeal process. In the standard … - Is It Time to Roll Out the SBAR Again?
The SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment/Analysis, and Recommendation/Request) tool is a standardized, structured communication framework that has been consistently promoted by such quality-focused organizations as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Institute for Healthcare … - Wearable Translation Tech: Convenience, Risks, and the Critical Role of DNS Leadership
Effective communication is essential for safe person-centered care. But even the most dedicated caregivers can face significant challenges when language barriers arise. As resident demographics shift and the post-acute care workforce has grown more diverse, … - Moments of Grace: Leading Compassionate Care for Residents with Parkinson’s Disease
In the cadence of long-term care, few diagnoses demand as much coordination, patience, and understanding as Parkinson’s disease (PD). This progressive neurological disorder affects every aspect of a resident’s life, from movement and mobility to … - Crack the Code: E0800, Rejection of Care
Understanding and accurately coding E0800, Rejection of Care, is essential both to reflect the resident’s behavior patterns and to ensure the care plan captures both the resident’s behaviors and his or her preferences. Misinterpreting rejection … - Quality Measure IQ Series: Need for Help with ADLs Has Increased
In long-term care, maintaining a resident’s functional independence is both a clinical and regulatory priority. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measure (QM), “Percent of Residents Whose Need for Help with Activities of Daily … - MDS Item I1700: Navigate the Complexities of Coding MDROs
Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are a red flag for a nursing home’s infection prevention and control program that either contact precautions or enhanced barrier precautions may need to be initiated, points out Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, … - Back to PDPM Basics – Part 5: The NTA Component
The Non-Therapy Ancillary (NTA) component of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) accounts for the medical complexity and resource-intensive services provided to residents in nursing facilities. This component is calculated using a combination of clinical diagnoses, … - Turning Difficult Conversations into Chances for Collaboration
In long-term and post-acute care, communication is everything. Most days, conversations with residents, families, and staff flow smoothly. But every so often, a chat takes a sharp turn, voices rise, tempers flare, or emotions spill … - Preventing Hospital Readmissions: How Effective Nurse Leaders Can Turn the Tide
Hospital readmissions remain one of the most persistent challenges for long-term post-acute care (LTPAC) facilities. National data shows that roughly 13% to 14% of all hospitalized patients are readmitted within 30 days (Burke et al., … - 7 Tips for Avoiding F656 Care Plan Citations and Building a Culture of Proactive Care Planning
F656, Comprehensive Care Plans, is one of the most commonly cited F-tags during survey in nursing homes; however, with intentional processes in place, these citations are largely preventable. A proactive approach to care planning ensures … - Crack the Code: B1000, Vision
An assessor does not need perfect eyesight to see that vision plays a significant role in the quality of life of residents in long-term care. Accurately evaluating vision, and how it is coded at B1000, … - How to Manage Challenging Admission Assessments
Written by Brenda Schumacher, Staff Writer, AAPACN When a resident discharges before the Admission assessment is complete, nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) must make decisions that directly affect compliance, survey readiness, and resident care planning. Jessie … - MDS Item L0200: Teeth Matter—and Not Just to Dentists
MDS section L (Oral/Dental Status) is one of the most frequently undervalued areas of the MDS, says Eleisha Wilkes, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, QCP, a senior consultant with Proactive LTC Consulting in Evansville, IN. … - Back to PDPM Basics – Part 4: The Nursing Component – Clinically Complex, Behavioral Symptoms and Cognitive Performance, and Reduced Physical FunctionThe nursing component of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) may appear straightforward: calculate a section GG Nursing Function Score and assign the resident to one of six nursing categories. But accuracy relies on a detailed …
- Back to Basics: Reinforcing Clinical Fundamentals
The beginning of a new school year has a particular energy—fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and a renewed focus on learning the essentials. In the long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) world, we can take a cue … - How the DNS Can Use HRSN to Improve Care and Reduce Hospital Readmissions
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ultimately chose not to implement MDS section R (Health-Related Social Needs) on Oct. 1, 2025. Each skilled nursing facility (SNF) will have to make an individual decision … - Should SNFs Collect Removed Section R MDS Data—and Why Do HRSN Even Matter?
MDS section R (Health-Related Social Needs) did not go into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) followed through on its proposal and eliminated—prior to implementation—items R0310 (Living Situation), … - Section O Overhaul: Changes to Therapy Coding
The Long-Term Care Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0 User’s Manual (RAI User’s Manual) version 1.20.1, effective Oct. 1, 2025, will bring major changes to section O of the MDS 3.0. The most significant update introduces … - MDS Item J2100 Feeds Into PDPM: Learn What’s at Stake and How to Boost Accuracy
MDS item J2100 (Did the Resident Have a Major Surgical Procedure During the Prior Inpatient Hospital Stay That Requires Active Care During the SNF Stay?) is the gateway question for receiving enhanced reimbursement in the … - Back to PDPM Basics – Part 3: The Nursing Component – Extensive Services and Special CareThe calculation for the nursing component of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) can look deceptively simple. The two steps entail calculating a section GG nursing function score and then placing the resident into one of …
- Behavioral Health Management: Learn How to Better Support Resident Needs
Nurse leaders who want to improve behavioral health management often get stuck in the “I don’t know where to start” or “I don’t know what that should look like” phase, points out Jacob Berelowitz, LNHA, … - From Paper to Practice: How the DNS Drives Policy Excellence
Facility policies serve as the backbone of consistent, safe, and compliant operations. Nursing homes rely on well-developed policies to guide staff, protect residents, and maintain compliance of care delivery that must follow state and federal … - Respiratory Season Ahead: Is Your Facility Ready?
Respiratory illness season is rapidly approaching once again, posing significant health concerns for vulnerable residents. The director of nursing services (DNS) must ensure facility staff can identify, manage, and help prevent these infections. Whether it’s … - Crack the Code: Staff Assessment for Mental Status Items
The nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) plays an essential role in capturing a resident’s cognitive status by coordinating and coding the Staff Assessment for Mental Status in the Minimum Data Set (MDS). The Brief Interview for … - Top Four GG Strategies: Preparing for the October Updates
The importance of accurate coding of section GG, Functional Abilities, continues to grow as this data is used in care planning, Quality Measures, reimbursement, and regulatory compliance. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) … - FY 2026 SNF PPS Final Rule: Section R Removal Tops the List of Changes
MDS section R (Health-Related Social Needs) is officially no more. The big news for nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) in the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing Final Rule for … - FY 2026 SNF PPS Final Rule: Summary of Responses to AAPACN’s Comments
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Final Rule for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS), addressing several key recommendations submitted by the American Association … - Back to PDPM Basics – Part 2: The SLP ComponentSince the implementation of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), nursing facilities have had to take a more nuanced approach to how a resident’s needs are assessed and documented. As discussed in part 1 of this …
- Keys to Prioritizing Resident Safety in High Summer Heat and Sunlight
Summer usually is a time for nursing home residents to experience social outdoor activities and meals. It could mean attending barbecues, picnics, parades, outdoor concerts, or baseball games, gardening or birdwatching, doing outdoor crafts, or … - FY 2026 SNF PPS Final Rule: More Money and Consistency, Less Burden
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) did not propose any changes to the previously adopted quality measure (QM) sets for either the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) or the Skilled … - A Fresh Perspective on Fall Prevention in LTPAC
Falls remain one of the most persistent and expensive challenges in long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) settings. For the director of nursing services (DNS), the responsibility to decrease fall risk while maintaining resident dignity and … - MDS Nutrition Is Not Limited to Section K
Written by Kristine Martinez, BSN, RN, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, QCP, DNS-CT, MDS Consultants Often, section K on the minimum data set (MDS), along with the associated care area assessments (CAAs) and care planning are delegated to … - 2025 NAC Work Study and Salary Report: Support NACs and Determine FTE Needs
The American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) surveys nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) every other year on aspects of their work, salary, and time. The 2025 AAPACN NAC Work Study and Salary Report offers valuable … - Back to PDPM Basics – Part 1: The PT and OT ComponentsIn skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), staff members often find the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) process complex and unfamiliar, especially when determining how Medicare (and, in many states, Medicaid) payment is calculated. PDPM is based on …
- Crack the Code: A0310EWhen completing any Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, accurate coding of A0310E is critical. This item is completed on OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), scheduled PPS (Prospective Payment System), and OBRA discharge assessments. It asks, …
- Prepared and Compliant: A Proactive Approach to Enteral Feeding Care Management
The director of nursing services (DNS) is preparing for her first annual survey. She wants to take a proactive approach regarding facility residents with enteral feedings. However, as a relatively new DNS, she is unsure … - Coding High-Risk Drug Classes: How to Improve N0415 Accuracy
N0415 (High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication) is much more than just paperwork. This MDS item impacts resident care through the care area triggers (CATs) and the care area assessments (CAAs), as well as facility … - Out the Door, On a Leave, or Gone for Good? Uncomplicating Discharges
In the fast-paced position of a nurse assessment coordinator (NAC), keeping track of all the residents’ whereabouts can be challenging. The NAC must know who is coming into the facility and if this resident is … - From the CATs to the QMs: Key Impacts of MDS Section N
MDS section N (Medications)—in particular item N0415 (High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication)— plays a key role in a nursing home’s ability to provide comprehensive, resident-centered care via the care area triggers (CATs) and the … - Ethics in Medicare Part A Coverage in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Navigating Medicare Part A coverage in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) is a matter of regulatory compliance. But it’s also a daily ethical test for facility staff and administrators. In many ways it depends on the … - Nursing Staff Competencies: Keys to Staying Compliant
Ensuring that nursing staff have the “appropriate competencies and skills sets to provide nursing and related services to assure resident safety and attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each … - PRN Psychotropic Medications for Behaviors: Learn How to Document to Survive Survey
PRN Medication Use is one of the few sections of the revised F605 (Right to Be Free From Chemical Restraints/Unnecessary Psychotropic Medications) in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual that does not have changes … - Enhancing Resident Well-Being: A Nursing Leadership Approach to Sensory Impairments
Sensory impairments, such as loss of vision, hearing, taste, smell, or touch, are common among older adults, and significantly affect their quality of life. These impairments often go unnoticed or may be mistaken for cognitive … - SNF VBP Reminder: Performance-Period MDS Data Collection Is Now Ongoing
In the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not reveal any firm proposals … - AAPACN Responds: FY 2026 SNF PPS Proposed Rule
Every spring, the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) anticipates the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) proposed rule. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides a 60-day comment period. … - SNF QRP Again Takes Center-Stage in the FY 2026 SNF PPS Proposed Rule
In the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, officially published on April 30, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) … - Deep Dive into ICD-10-CM: Diagnosis Sequencing Guidelines
The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code assignment continues to be a bit of an enigma in the long-term care setting. Members regularly ask questions about ICD-10-CM coding in AAPACN’s online … - SNF VBP QMs: What’s Coming Online to Impact Payment—and What’s Proposed
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) does not propose any new quality measures (QMs) for the pay-for-performance Skilled Nursing Value-Based Purchasing program (SNF VBP) in the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System … - Targeted Prevention: Stopping Urinary Infections in Their Tracks
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) remain significant concerns in long-term care settings. They contribute to increased morbidity, extended hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, and reduced quality of life for residents. … - DNS Takeaways From the FY 2026 SNF PPS Proposed Rule
Like every proposed rule before it, the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing Proposed Rule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 offers the director of nursing services (DNS) a preview … - Quality Measures IQ Series: UTIs and Catheters
The long-stay Quality Measures (QMs), Percent of Residents with a Urinary Tract Infection and Percent of Residents Who Have/Had a Catheter Inserted and Left in Their Bladder, have straightforward methodology but complex underlying implications. Managing … - Care Conference 101: Keys to a Meaningful Meeting
A well-run care conference or care plan meeting can help the interdisciplinary team (IDT) improve the resident’s quality of care and quality of life by establishing a more resident-centered, individualized, culturally competent, and trauma-informed care … - QAPI: How NACs Can Boost the Value They Bring to the Process
The nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) brings a unique understanding of facility operations and resident needs that can reap critical benefits for the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program, says Lauren Stenson, MSN, RN, CNDLTC, … - October 2025: Draft MDS Item Sets and RAI User’s Manual
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a second version of the draft item set files for Oct. 1, 2025, updates, version 1.20.1v2, and the draft Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument … - The Facility Assessment: What It Takes to Create an ‘Operational Care Plan’
The revised surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual that goes into effect on April 28, 2025, does not include any updates to F-tag 838 (Facility Assessment), says Robin Hillier, CPA, STNA, … - Calming the Agitation to Aggression Pipeline: Non-pharmacological Behavior Management
Using non-pharmacological approaches, not psychotropic medications (i.e., antipsychotic, antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and hypnotic dugs), as the first line of treatment for behavior management is not a new concept for nursing homes, says Amy Lee, RN, BSN, … - 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, … - Medicare Advantage vs. FFS Part A Expedited Determinations: What’s the Difference?
The expedited determination process (called “fast-track appeals” in regulation) for appeals of service terminations by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is very similar to—but not exactly the same as—the expedited determination process for service terminations under … - 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 … - 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 Falsification: How MDS Coding Could Bring an OIG Referral During Survey
“MDS coding accuracy is important” is not a revolutionary new concept for any nurse assessment coordinator (NAC), says Carol Maher, RN-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, RAC-CT, CPC, director of education for Hansen, Hunter & Co. PC … - Appendix PP Revisions: How to Create a Workable Game Plan
A quick review of the draft revised surveyor guidance in Quality, Safety, and Oversight (QSO) memo QSO-25-14-NH that goes into effect on April 28, 2025, may initially concern the director of nursing services (DNS) and … - Caught up in Survey Panic? Make a Plan to Break the Cycle
Hearing a staff member say, “State just walked in the door,” shouldn’t ignite survey panic mode in the director of nursing services (DNS) and other department leaders in the nursing home, says Michelle Synakowski, RN, … - 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 … - 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 … - Section GG Accuracy: Helping Nursing Homes Get Fair Payment and Referrals
The ongoing staffing shortage amid growing economic turbulence and payment pressures means that every nursing home in the country is currently struggling with reimbursement, says Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IPCO, QCP, ICC, director … - Compliance in Diagnosis Selection for Skilled Rehabilitation
For skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), diagnosis selection and accurate ICD-10-CM coding are essential for both quality resident care and compliance with regulations. For therapists providing skilled rehabilitation services, the ability to choose the correct diagnosis … - Care Conference: How Do Resident Rights Connect to Care Planning?
Some nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) may believe that having a care conference (aka care plan meeting) with the resident and/or their responsible party or family member is a regulatory requirement. “However, no regulations actually use … - CBC (Census, Budget, and Compliance): Learn to Speak the Administrator’s Language
The director of nursing services (DNS) and the facility administrator (or other executive leadership) share the overarching goal of providing nursing home residents with the best possible quality of care and quality of life, says … - Bolster the DNS/NAC Relationship to Boost Outcomes Across the Board
Nursing homes that achieve successful operational, clinical, and regulatory outcomes tend to share at least one common characteristic, says Stacy Grondel, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, CMAC, QCP, vice president of clinical reimbursement at Brickyard Healthcare in … - The Keys to Develop a Past Noncompliance Plan
The director of nursing services (DNS) received a call in the middle of the night that a resident with a diagnosis of dementia had eloped, and it appeared she had been missing for several hours—a … - Boost MDS, CAA, and Care Plan Accuracy—and Show the Value of the NAC Role
The MDS is more than a data collection tool, says Sabrena McCarley, MBA-SL, OTR/L, CLIPP, RAC-CT, QCP, FAOTA, RAC-CTA, vice president of clinical reimbursement and regulatory affairs for Transitional Care Management in Lisle, IL. McCarley … - Uncomplicating Drug Classifications
Medications are an essential part of the care and interventions provided to residents in a skilled nursing facility. These medications may be used to manage chronic conditions, slow disease progress, ease symptoms, or even prevent … - PDPM Overview for Supporting SNF Staff
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) in October 2019 for residents receiving Medicare Part A coverage in the skilled nursing facility (SNF). PDPM replaced the previous legacy … - Sepsis Assessment and Reporting: Tips for Nursing Staff
Nurses play a key role in the early identification and treatment of sepsis, assessing the resident and reporting to the physician or nonphysician practitioner (NPP), as well as potentially managing residents with sepsis in-house in … - The “Golden Hour” of Admission
For both residents and their loved ones, admission into a post-acute care facility can be an overwhelming experience. In addition to the condition that brought residents to the facility, the transition itself involves changing environment, … - October 2025 MDS Draft Item Sets: The SDOH Should Drive the NAC’s Planning
On Oct. 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the draft MDS version 1.20.1 item sets and item matrix for implementation on Oct. 1, 2025. The change history included with the … - Quality Measure IQ Series: Antipsychotic Medication Measures
Monitoring and reducing the use of antipsychotic medications is a high priority for many nursing facilities. Top concerns are the increased risk of adverse effects for residents taking these medications, the scrutiny of their management … - Residents on Part B Therapy? Provide Beneficiary Notices to Avoid a Financial Hit
Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) who manage Medicare services typically are at least familiar enough with the beneficiary notice requirements that skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) must meet under fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare Part A to monitor those … - ICD-10-CM: Navigating the Term “With,” Combination Codes, and Complications of Care
Accurate diagnosis coding is critical in nursing facilities (NFs) for care planning, reimbursement, and quality measurement. NF coders must understand ICD-10-CM conventions, general coding guidelines, and chapter-specific coding guidelines that affect how diagnoses are assigned. … - Why Getting MDS Right Is Non-Negotiable: The Importance of MDS Accuracy
Written by Kristine Martinez BSN, RN, RAC-CTA, QCP Completing a Minimum Data Set (MDS) correctly is no small task. With approximately 510 answers or choices on a comprehensive MDS (not including CAA investigation), and approximately530 answers … - Direct-Care Staff Are Front-Line Defenders Against Sepsis: What They Need to Know
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the risk of developing sepsis has increased nationwide, according to the September 2024 report An Assessment of Sepsis in the United States and Its Burden on Hospital Care … - Emergency Preparedness Plan: How the DNS Can Ensure the Nursing Department Is Ready When Disaster Strikes
Emergency preparedness is a vital component of maintaining safety and ensuring continuity of care in post-acute care settings. Facilities face unique challenges in emergency situations. The vulnerable people they care for, including the elderly and … - Mastering the Discharge Function Score for Skilled Nursing Facilities
By Greg Seiple Discharge planning is an essential component of patient care in skilled nursing facilities. But how do healthcare professionals determine when a resident is ready to leave and manage daily activities independently? Enter … - GG0130 and GG0170: Using Clinical Judgment to Establish Usual Performance
The ability to exercise clinical judgment to define usual performance in MDS items GG0130 (Self-Care) and GG0170 (Mobility) offers nursing homes unprecedented opportunity to impact quality measures (QMs), says Rosanna Benbow, RN, CCM, ICC, IP, … - SNF ABN Update: What Changed and How to Keep the Process Running Smoothly
Effective Oct. 31, 2024, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) now are required to use an updated Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (SNF ABN), also known as form CMS-10055, and the corresponding revised instructions … - Sepsis Primer: What Is It, and How Does It Tie Into Survey and QMs?Sepsis—a key driver of hospital readmissions—can have negative clinical impacts for residents and negative financial, quality, survey, and even legal impacts for nursing homes. Here is a review of important basics: What is sepsis? The …
- Antibiotic Stewardship: Make Sure New IPs Have an Action Plan
Antimicrobial medications are used to treat infections (and sepsis) caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. Antimicrobial resistance (AR)—when germs conquer the drugs that are supposed to kill them and instead keep growing—occurs naturally. However, … - Opioid Overdose: Are Staff Prepared?
Many residents take opioids to relieve pain, and each of these residents is at risk for overmedication, overdose, or even death. According to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), by 2021, 1 in 370 … - Ethics and Ramifications of Backdating the MDS
Backdating, or placing an earlier date than the actual date on a document, is only permissible in limited Minimum Data Set (MDS) scenarios. Has anyone asked the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) to change the assessment … - Break the Bad Data Cycle: Keys to Boosting Accuracy in GG0130 and GG0170
MDS items GG0130 (Self-Care) and GG0170 (Mobility) are a common source of headaches for both the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) and the interdisciplinary team (IDT). While there is no one-size-fits-all approach for obtaining accurate documentation … - Section GG Strategies: Documentation and Collaboration
Section GG has greatly evolved since 2016. It was first introduced as just a few functional items completed only for Medicare Part A residents, but now it requires 26 functional tasks for all long-term care … - Improving Resident Care Through Effective Communication: The MDS 3.0 Scripted Interview
Effective communication with residents in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) is essential to understand their needs and preferences. In accordance with Appendix D of the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment 3.0 User’s Manual (RAI User’s Manual) …