“When does Mom get the black pill?” Families sometimes ask hospice providers this type of question—mistakenly thinking that hospice is a form of assisted suicide—even though hospice services were introduced in the United States more …
Government entities require mandatory staff trainings to be completed at least annually. AAPACN’s Mandatory Training Checklist is intended to assist the facility leader in ensuring staff have completed mandated trainings per facility policy. For permission …
Question: What does the end of the physician visit waiver mean for SNFs? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT : With the recent QSO memo, QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC, released April 7, …
Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes (PDF) UPDATED (5/6/22) From https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/EPRO/Current-Emergencies/Current-Emergencies-page
This printable flyer infographic describes the Chain of Infection and How to Use it to Prevent the Spread of Infection in Long-Term Care (LTC) https://repository.netecweb.org/items/show/1666 Files for Download COI in LTC 4.29.2022 Final Compressed.pdf
Register Now for this free workshop that will cover multiple care settings: Mechanisms for Organizational Behavior Change to Address the Needs of People Living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related DementiasMay 23 – 24, 2022 Join the National Academies …
Updated Information on Availability and Use of Treatments for Outpatients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Who are at Increased Risk for Severe Outcomes of COVID-19 SummaryThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing …
Resident harm is every nurse’s nightmare. Four years ago, a nurse administered the wrong medication to a patient, which resulted in the patient’s death. RaDonda Vaught was recently criminally convicted of negligent homicide and neglect …
In the survey process, two F-tags primarily govern interactions between skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and home health agencies (HHAs): F660 (Discharge Planning Process) addresses the requirement for nursing homes to assist residents and their families …
Antipsychotic Medication Prescribing in Long Term Care Facilities Increased in the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic Issue Brief Prescriptions dispensed for antipsychotics in nursing homes and assisted living facilities increased since the beginning of …
From AHRQ Medication discrepancy rates and sources upon nursing home intake: a prospective study Patterson ME, Bollinger S, Coleman C, et al. Res Social Adm Pharm. Epub 2021 Medication errors are common among older adults discharged …
Question: What is the regulation for how often we should be obtaining vital signs for long-term care residents? Answer from Alexis Roam, MSN, RN-BC, DNS-CT, QCP: There is not a federal regulation that states a …
JAMA Network Open Study excerpt: Key Points Question Are scores on a delirium severity measure that was developed using advanced psychometric approaches associated with in-hospital and posthospital clinical outcomes? Findings In this cohort study of older patients …
2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines Free access: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063 Abstract Aim: The “2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for …
Three new online resources from AHRQ are available to help nursing homes adopt best practices aimed at controlling and preventing infection and improving the emotional well-being of staff and residents: Best Practices Guide for COVID-19 Infection Control …
Data continue to show the importance of vaccination and booster doses to protect individuals both from infection and severe outcomes of COVID-19. For adults and adolescents eligible for a first booster dose, these shots are …
Nursing homes have to prepare emergency operations plans to be compliant with the emergency preparedness regulations that are detailed in Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual, points out Amanda Thorson, MSN, BSN, RN, CMSRN, …
Question: Can a weighted blanket be considered a restraint? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT: Although the use of a weighted blanket can be a great intervention, if the resident can not …
In this LTC DON Chat podcast, Amy Stewart, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Rob Leffler, the vice president for PCA Pharmacy, talk about the impact of medications on falls for …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Project Firstline, released a new suite of educational resources to help healthcare workers recognize the risks for germs to spread throughout the workday and take action to …
Using social determinants of health (SDOH) when developing a resident’s discharge plan can help identify and address potential risks that could adversely affect the resident’s ability to safely discharge back to the community. AAPACN’s Social …
Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements Memo # QSO-20-38-NH REVISED Posting Date 2021-09-10 / REVISED …
Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19 (REVISED) Memo # QSO-20-39-NH REVISED Posting Date 2021-11-12 REVISED MARCH 10, 2022 Fiscal Year 2021 Memorandum Summary • CMS is committed to continuing to take critical steps to ensure America’s …
CMS is providing clarification to recent guidance for visitation (see CMS memorandum QSO-20-39- NH REVISED 11/12/2021). While CMS cannot address every aspect of visitation that may occur, we provide additional details about certain scenarios below. …
Participants will learn to identify factors that give rise to ethical dilemmas in nursing, identify measures that assist in making ethical decisions, and apply the core principles in ethical decision making. Download now.
US Department of Labor announces enforcement, effort for focused inspections in hospitals, nursing care facilities treating COVID-19 patients WASHINGTON – For two years, millions of the nation’s healthcare workers have been battling the coronavirus. Many have endangered themselves …
New Report published by APIC outlines actions needed to successfully battle future pandemics while fighting the rise of healthcare-associated infections ARLINGTON, Va., March 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — As the world enters the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, …
AAPACN’s expert-developed in-service education tools are user-friendly training documents to supplement your staff’s knowledge and get your team on the same page. Several of our in-service education tools have recently been updated with new approaches to …
The purpose of this primer is to provide updated information to the patient safety community about the challenges of ensuring the safe care of older adults in Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes (NHs) associated …
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older — United States, 2022 Changes in the 2022 Adult Immunization Schedule Vaccine-specific changes in the 2022 immunization schedule for adults …
Nursing Home Capabilities and Collaboration to Ensure Resident Care During Emergencies Nursing homes face a broad range of challenges from public emergencies, such as emerging infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters. To protect residents and …
Updates as of Feb. 17: Guidance streamlined Added links to guidance on testing for determining length of work restriction for healthcare personnel with SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and for mitigating staff shortages in healthcare settings Time period …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Joel VanEaton, BSN, RN, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, executive vice president of PAC regulatory affairs and …
CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control is in the process of updating the 2016 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. As of today, the draft updated Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids is available …
The diversity of care required to meet the individualized needs of each resident means that the director of nursing services (DNS) must seek the expertise of a variety of healthcare professionals and work collaboratively. When …
The Hospice Collaboration Toolkit assists facility leaders to understand hospice services and provides guidance on how to enhance collaboration, thus improving the quality of care and the quality of life for residents nearing end-of-life experience. …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Rick Russell, president and CEO of Hospice of Northwest Ohio, discuss the role of …
Question: Can a resident take home medications upon discharge? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT: Yes, medications can be sent home with a resident upon discharge. Work with your pharmacy provider to …
Updates as of Feb. 2, 2022 Due to concerns about increased transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, this guidance is being updated to enhance protection for healthcare personnel, residents, and visitors and to address concerns about …
Updates as of Feb. 2, 2022 Due to concerns about increased transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, this guidance is being updated to enhance protection for healthcare personnel, patients, and visitors and to address concerns about …
Remedies include addressing staff biases, increasing funding for facilities, standardizing advance-care planning, and educating staff and families about evidence-based care and shared decision making BOSTON – A new study published on January 24, 2022, in …
Memo # QSO-22-10-ALL Posting Date 2022-01-25 Fiscal Year 2022 Summary • While many State Survey Agencies and Accrediting Organizations (AOs) have taken early action to implement their own surveyor vaccination requirements, national guidance is necessary …
One-page graphic flyer How to safely visit nursing homes (PDF) (01/25/22) https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/EPRO/Current-Emergencies/Current-Emergencies-page
Comfort—palliation—should be a critical component of all nursing home care, suggests Ann Wyatt, a palliative and residential care consultant for CaringKind in New York City. “It is not about giving up. It’s about deciding, Why …
Jan 18, 2022 NETEC COVID-19 Webinar Series presentation: Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) for the Non-Acute Healthcare Providers. For more information on this webinar presentation, please visit https://repository.netecweb.org/items/show/1659 Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) for the Non-Acute Healthcare …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently updated COVID-19 quarantine and isolation recommendations for healthcare and non-healthcare settings. During this COCA Call, presenters discussed the science supporting these changes, the populations and …
National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes: Antipsychotic Medication Use Data Report (October 2021) The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes is committed to improving the quality of care for …
The last two weeks of data show steep increases in staff and resident COVID-19 cases, particularly staff cases: https://data.cms.gov/covid-19/covid-19-nursing-home-data
Statement by CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision on Vaccine Requirements January 13, 2022 “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is extremely pleased the Supreme Court recognized CMS’ authority …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN and Dr. Karl Steinberg, president of AMDA and a longtime nursing home medical director and …
Section Q (Participation in Assessment and Goal Planning) is not a high-powered section of the MDS that drives payment or any of the quality measures (QMs). As a result, nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) sometimes may …
There are plenty of statistics documenting the hazard falls pose for the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a website sharing important facts about falls. CDC notes that: One out of …
Annual update to national Alzheimer’s plan adds focus on risk reduction Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra today announced the release of the annual update to the Department’s National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, which …
The CDC press release is followed by summaries of changes to each guidance, Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages: With …
Participants will learn to define antibiotic stewardship and recognize nurse-driven efforts that support antibiotic stewardship, including nursing assessment and infection-specific interventions. Download now.
This conversation starter will help your team learn more about a new residents’ interests, routines, and goals and engage the resident in their care planning right from admission. AAPACN’s Admission Sample Questionnaire tool (print) can …
In this fun holiday podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, CRC, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, are joined …
A report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that massive increases in the use of telehealth helped maintain some health care access during the COVID-19 pandemic, with specialists like behavioral …
Participants will learn to describe the ways that dementia can affect communication and identify different measures that can assist in effectively communicating with residents who have dementia. Download now.
Respirators, including N95s and elastomeric respirators, help protect healthcare workers from COVID-19 and other airborne viruses. Making sure these respirators fit the face properly is essential to maximizing their effectiveness. A new AHRQ guide defines respirator fit …
Question: Is a Significant Change in Status Assessment required for a new stage 3 pressure ulcer? Answer from Janine Cortesa RN, BSN: A stage 3 pressure ulcer may signify the need for a Significant Change …
The American College of Gastroenterology provides updated, evidence-based recommendations and practical guidance for the evaluation and management of GERD, including pharmacologic, lifestyle, surgical, and endoscopic management. https://journals.lww.com/ajg/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=9900&issue=00000&article=00154&type=Fulltext
Published online: November 21, 2021. The abstract is free and open to the public. Rushing Care by Care Aides Associated With Experiences of Responsive Behaviors From Residents in Nursing Homes
Nurse leaders who hear comments like “I didn’t know that happened,” “I didn’t realize that was important,” or “I didn’t know you wanted me to do that” from the charge nurses and certified nurse aides …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN and Martha Kelso, RN, LNC, HBOT, CEO of Wound Care Plus, a mobile wound care …
Consider this common scenario: Mr. Smith, a resident with dementia, is scheduled to have a bath on Tuesday, but he’s combative. “Even veteran staff may be set on the idea that Mr. Smith has to …
Question: Where can I find resources to help our facility prevent and manage sepsis? Answer: TMF, a Quality Improvement Organization, offers a free toolkit called the Sepsis Post-Acute Care Training Toolkit for Nursing Homes. This …
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides advice and guidance to the Director of the CDC regarding use of vaccines and related agents for control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the civilian population of the United States. …
Electronic access (PDF) to this book is free with IHI membership (also free). Leape LL. Making Healthcare Safe. Springer; 2021. Written by Lucian Leape, a pioneer of the patient safety movement, this book describes how patient safety became …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN talks with Rob Leffler, R.Ph., vice president for PCA Pharmacy, about using CBD oil with …
The following new evidence-based report has been posted: Physical Activity and the Health of Wheelchair Users: A Systematic Review in Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, and Spinal Cord Injury. Main Points We found physical activity to …
Announced Agency Title Component Report Number(s) October 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Nursing Home Reporting of COVID-19 Data to the National Healthcare Safety Network Office of Evaluation and Inspections OEI-06-22-00030 October 2021 CMS, …
October 14, 2021 US Department of Labor proposes $83K in fines to healthcarefacility for failing to protect workers from coronavirus hazardsFollow-up inspection results in respiratory protection violations, lack of hazard assessment BLOOMINGDALE, IL – A Bloomingdale …
Findings In this systematic review of 57 studies comprising more than 250 000 survivors of COVID-19, most sequelae included mental health, pulmonary, and neurologic disorders, which were prevalent longer than 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 exposure. JAMA Netw …
When emergency events happen, such as cardiac and respiratory arrest or an elopement, it is imperative that staff know how to respond. Nurse leadership should provide opportunities for staff to practice and perfect their response …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Laurie Laxton, RN, BSN, CCFA, RAC-CT, IP-BC, QCP, clinical education program lead with ABILITY …
By Liz Barlow, RN, CRRN, RAC-CT, DNS-CT, AVP Clinical Innovation, Synchrony Rehab At the end of August, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a National Provider Stakeholder call to review some of …
When a resident suffers a cardiac arrest in the facility, do nurses know how to initiate a code? If a resident elopes, do facility staff know what to do? When emergency events happen, such as …
Hand Hygiene, Gown and Glove Use Adherence Sept. 21, 2021 update: Monthly Reporting Plan Monthly Reporting Plan for LTCF – September 2021 (57.141) pdf icon[PDF – 80 KB] Customizable form word icon[DOCX – 50 KB] Table of …
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Long-term nursing home residents were disproportionately affected by COVID-19. For long-term nursing home residents identified in this study sample, COVID-19 vaccinations were associated with estimated reductions …
The widespread staffing crisis in nursing homes across long-term care has put a strain on everyone, from leadership positions to the floor nurse. Staff are working overtime, covering extra shifts, and are often being called …
PUBLICATION DATE Sep 20, 2021 AUTHORS Allison Kolbe COVID-19 has impacted antimicrobial drug prescribing both directly, through COVID-19 treatment, and indirectly, through the reduced spread of illnesses for which antimicrobial drugs are commonly prescribed. This …
September 21, 2021 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making it easier to check COVID-19 vaccination rates for nursing home staff and residents with a new feature on Medicare.gov. Today’s announcement makes …
Imagine if the infection preventionist’s sole responsibility were to treat residents who have an infection. This suggestion seems odd because it ignores the scope and breadth of activities necessary to control and prevent infections for …
The Biden-Harris Administration announced a $2.1 billion investment to improve infection prevention and control activities across the U.S. public health and healthcare sectors. The Biden-Harris Administration, working through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers nursing homes and other long-term care providers guidance on how to ensure their residents and staff have access to COVID-19 vaccines, including booster shots. It covers …
Investigation of an Outbreak of COVID-19 in a French Nursing Home With Most Residents Vaccinated Catherine Burugorri-Pierre, MD; Carmelo Lafuente-Lafuente, MD, PhD; Christel Oasi, MD; et al. This cohort study investigates an outbreak of COVID-19 among residents and health care professionals …
Overview During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss Post-COVID conditions (PCC), an umbrella term for the wide range of health consequences present four or more weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2, which includes Long-COVID. It can be …
PUBLIC HEALTH SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 Estimates of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths Among Nursing Home Residents Not Reported in Federal Data Karen Shen, PhD; Lacey Loomer, PhD, MSPH; Hannah Abrams, MD; et al. This cross-sectional study examines the magnitude of unreported COVID-19 …
Memo # 21-07-ALL Posting Date 2021-09-03 Fiscal Year 2021 Summary To provide guidance on how the CMS Location staff will conduct Federal Monitoring Surveys (FMS) in FY2021. Admin Info 21-07-ALL (PDF) Excerpt: For FY2021, there …
An effective in-service program not only ensures competency and meets regulatory requirements, but also incorporates many learning styles and fosters the enjoyment of learning. Given the resources that a facility must dedicate to its in-service …
Case Western Reserve University researchers, in partnership with Brown University, examine vaccine’s effectiveness over time on seniors and their caregivers 1-Sep-2021 5:00 PM EDT, by Case Western Reserve University Newswise — CLEVELAND—A new, multi-institutional study led by …
Participants will learn to understand the risk factors for staff injury, identify devices that aid in transfer, and implement safe techniques for lifting and moving residents. Download now.
Participants will identify types of abuse, define neglect, demonstrate what steps to take if abuse is observed, and discuss how to prevent abuse. Download now.
Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2021–22 Influenza Season Recommendations and Reports / August 27, 2021 / 70(5);1–28 Summary This report updates the 2020–21 …
This video [1 minute, 29 seconds] explains how to navigate the Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network’s resources site, find the latest news, and search for materials by topic or other filters. Audio description version
Editor’s note: This is the final article in a three-part series on elopement prevention and response in nursing homes. The first article looked at risk assessment and care planning, and the second article addressed staff …
