From AHRQ: A new tabletop game turns infection prevention training into a collaborative, story-driven escape room. When players notice a change in a resident’s skin, they work together to interact with environmental services staff, a …
Respiratory viruses carry the potential for serious illness and can lead to hospitalization. Vaccination is an integral part of a proactive infection control program that combats these viruses. Nurse leaders can use this toolkit to …
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 …
Caring for residents with Parkinson’s disease requires insight, empathy, and teamwork. The Caring for Residents with Parkinson’s Disease in-service provides CNAs and care staff with practical strategies for recognizing symptoms, supporting safe mobility, improving communication, …
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a new Toolkit for Improving Skin Care and MDRO Prevention in Long-Term Care, which outlines four evidence-based strategies to reduce infection risks and maintain skin integrity among long-term care …
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., …
The Action Plan: Preventing Hospital Readmissions tool helps the director of nursing services (DNS) and interdisciplinary team (IDT) identify priority areas, set measurable goals, and assign accountability for reducing hospital readmissions. This fillable PDF worksheet …
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 …
In this LTC DON Chat podcast episode, 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 …
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 …
The NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment and Respirator Approval Program web pages have been updated and moved. These pages provide information about NIOSH Approved® respirators, including how to identify approved products, types of respiratory protection, tips …
Summary What is already known about this topic? Influenza vaccination protects against influenza and its potential complications. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices makes influenza vaccination recommendations for each influenza season. What is added by …
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, …
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 …
Respiratory illnesses remain one of the most significant health concerns for residents. Early recognition, prompt intervention, and strong infection control practices are important to maintain residents’ well-being. The Caring for Residents with Respiratory Illness in-service …
In this LTC DON Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, …
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 …
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 …
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has released an updated position paper titled “Safe Injection, Infusion, Medication Vial, and Point-of-Care Testing Practices in Health care (2025),” published in the American Journal of Infection Control …
It’s important that long-term care residents receive enteral nutrition in a safe, effective, and consistent manner. Utilize AAPACN’s Enteral Nutrition Checklist to ensure documentation is complete and residents are receiving appropriate nutrition, medications, and treatment …
AHRQ has released an updated Surveys on Patient Safety Culture (SOPS) Nursing Home Survey Version 2.0. This revised survey is designed to help nursing homes assess staff perceptions of resident safety culture in their organizations. The survey …
Medical directors at nursing homes are responsible for implementing resident care policies, coordinating medical care, and participating in quality assessment and assurance activities. Nursing homes are required to report hours worked by medical directors to …
CDC’s Project Firstline and the American Medical Association (AMA) recently hosted a webinar to share important measles updates and help providers and clinics stay prepared for measles. The recording is now available to watch and share. The webinar featured a panel …
In this LTC DON Chat podcast episode, 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 with AAPACN, discuss how the director …
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 …
Vision and hearing loss, as well as diminished taste, touch, or smell, can significantly impact residents’ ability to communicate, navigate their environment, and engage in daily activities. By implementing individualized care plans, utilizing assistive devices, …
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) End-of-Life Care Survey. The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) End-of-Life Care Survey assesses …
The following resources are now available: Mental Health Awareness Training Plan Schizophrenia in Nursing Facilities: Validating Diagnosis and Planning for Appropriate Care Schizophrenia Fact Sheet 4 Ways Nursing Homes Can Promote Substance Use Recovery See …
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. …
Competent catheter care is crucial for preventing infections and ensuring resident safety. Facilities can use AAPACN’s Catheter Care Competency tool as a standardized guide to evaluate and verify that staff are properly trained and consistently …
“1. Don’t insert percutaneous feeding tubes in individuals with advanced dementia. Instead, offer oral assisted feedings: Strong evidence exists that artificial nutrition does not prolong life or improve quality of life in patients with advanced dementia. …
Pain management is an essential component of nursing care. Non-pharmacological pain management interventions can effectively complement or reduce the need for medication. This tool will review non-pharmacological interventions by type, providing mechanism of action and …
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, …
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, …
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 …
The Essential Guide to Infection Prevention and Control in-service education will equip staff with the knowledge and strategies to identify and reduce the risk of several types of infections including respiratory, foodborne, urinary tract, and …
Results from AHRQ’s 2025 Surveys on Patient Safety Culture® (SOPS®) Nursing Home Survey User Database Report are now available. The Database Report includes 107 nursing homes representing 4,411 healthcare providers and staff. Key findings include: Area for Improvement: …
Multidrug-Resistant Organism & Clostridioides difficile (MDRO/CDI) Infection Event Reporting Module Using Laboratory-identified Event Methodology Data Collection Forms & Instructions All Data Collection Forms are Print-only MDRO/CDI Events Denominator Forms Monthly Reporting Plan Annual Facility Survey See more …
January 2025 Updates Data Collection Forms & Instructions All Data Collection Forms are Print-only UTI Events Denominator Forms Monthly Reporting Plan Annual Facility Survey Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/ltc/uti/index.html
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 the admission process and ways …
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 …
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, …
The transition from home to nursing home can be difficult and emotional for new residents and their loved ones. The thought of living in a space that is not their own, having their privacy invaded, …
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 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 …
Long-term care facilities face unique problems when disasters strike. Staff’s quick thinking and correct action can protect staff members, residents, and families. Use this in-service education to prepare staff for when a disaster occurs. This …
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 …
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 …
When a substance overdose situation occurs, staff must know how to respond. Nurse leadership should provide staff opportunities to practice and perfect their response to these events. The Mock Substance Overdose Toolkit will assist nurse …
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, …
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 …
The newly revised Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes Management in the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC) Setting provides (1) new information on overall goals in diabetes care, (2) detailed information on how to use and …
Fall is here, and respiratory virus season is around the corner. Nursing leaders must take proactive steps to protect residents from these viruses, which carry the potential for serious illness and can lead to hospitalization. …
Starting Oct. 1, 2024, additional supporting documentation is required to capture a diagnosis of sepsis at I2100, Septicemia on the MDS. Nurse assessment coordinators can use the AAPACN Sepsis: Nurse Documentation Training Aid to provide …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Dr. Devin Jopp, EdD, chief executive officer for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), …
The facility has a high number of discharges to the community every month, and the director of nursing services (DNS) feels the discharge process is a good one, as she has received no complaints from …
Providing residents with the appropriate level of assistance in the activities of daily living (ADLs) is foundational to care in nursing homes, yet the ADLs consistently remain a common citation risk in the survey process. …
Like care plan management and evaluation and observation and assessment of a resident’s condition, teaching and training activities are a core nonskilled component of resident care that can rise to the level of a skilled …
This printable flyer infographic discusses Long-Term Care (LTC) and Assisted Living Facility Biosafety: Identify, Isolate and Inform. https://repository.netecweb.org/items/show/1873
Substance use disorder (SUD) is becoming more common in nursing home residents. While SUD can be challenging, there are several resources that can help nurse leaders to develop, implement, and sustain a SUD program. AAPACN …
Over 1 million people aged 65 and over live with substance use disorders (SUD) (Alliance for Aging Research, 2022). As with most trends, what is prevalent in the community will also be prevalent in nursing …
Dementia robs our loved ones of precious memories and their ability to communicate. My 82-year-old stepfather has Alzheimer’s disease and has had a steady decline. My 80-year-old mother, who is also a nurse, has been …
Engineering controls can be implemented to isolate people from a hazard and provide protection for long-term care residents and staff. Engineering Controls for Long-Term Care
Using technologies to engage residents with dementia is becoming increasingly common in nursing homes across the country. Local news shows are peppered with segments on facilities using dancing robots, robotic cats, and other technologies that …
F-tag 689 (Free of Accident Hazards/Supervision/Devices) was the top immediate jeopardy (IJ) citation nationwide—and the second most-frequent citation overall—in calendar year (CY) 2023, and that citation pattern is being maintained so far in CY 2024, …
Stroke is a common issue among residents in long-term care facilities. When caring for this population, staff often focus on physical issues, yet post-stroke residents often have emotional or behavioral changes as well. It is …
The Age-Friendly Health Systems: Guide to Care of Older Adults in Nursing Homes and the Age-Friendly Health Systems: A Workbook for Nursing Home Teams are designed to be used simultaneously to help care teams in …
There are many reasons to beef up your facility’s restorative program, from reducing risk of functional decline, improving Five-Star and Quality Measure ratings, minimizing risk of falls and immobility, to improving reimbursement under PDPM. But …
APIC and IPAC Canada partnered on the creation of a new resource to help healthcare professionals work through ethical issues that arise in infection prevention and control (IPC) and assist in making complex decisions. Published on both …
Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) Tool for General Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Across Settings https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/php/toolkit/icar.html AT A GLANCE ON THIS PAGE
https://www.cdc.gov/long-term-care-facilities/hcp/training/index.html AT A GLANCE ON THIS PAGE Course link: https://www.train.org/cdctrain/training_plan/3814 Training resources
https://www.cdc.gov/long-term-care-facilities/hcp/prevent-mdro/faqs.html AT A GLANCE Frequently asked questions about using enhanced barrier precautions in nursing homes to prevent MDROs. ON THIS PAGE
https://www.cdc.gov/long-term-care-facilities/hcp/prevent-mdro/PPE.html KEY POINTS How to implement personal protective equipment (PPE) use in nursing homes to prevent spread of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). Summary of recent changes Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes – Video, Posters, …
Improving resident outcomes is a top priority for nursing home teams. Outcomes, good or bad, not only affect the residents and their families but also influence the facility’s Quality Measures (QMs), Five-Star ratings, and regulatory …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Colleen Oakley, OTR/L NHA RAC-CT, senior director of operations for Rehab America and treasurer and member of the …
When an abuse situation occurs, staff must know how to respond and must do so in a timely manner. Opportunities to practice enable staff to sharpen their responses to these events. AAPACN’s Mock Abuse Drill …
Increasingly, nurse practitioners (NPs) and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), also known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), work either directly for or closely with nursing homes to improve resident care outcomes—as do physician assistants (PAs). …
A resident-to-resident incident occurred on the dementia unit, resulting in an injury to one resident. The altercation surprised the staff, so their response to the situation was not immediate. Additionally, when they intervened, they did …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss strategies for simplifying the care …
Many residents in nursing homes receive dialysis. It’s imperative that licensed nurses understand how to care for this population. AAPACN’s Caring for the Resident Receiving Dialysis – Nursing In-service Education guides nurses to understand what dialysis is, …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jacob Berelowitz, LNHA, LMSW, CPHQ, CCM, program director for the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing …
In calendar year (CY) 2023, F880 (Infection Prevention and Control) was the third most frequently cited F-tag in nursing homes nationwide, as well as the fifth most common at the immediate jeopardy (IJ) level, according …
Like in-house hospital readmissions, post-discharge hospital readmissions can affect provider performance in the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program (SNF VBP), says Carol Hill, MSN, RN, LNHA, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, CPC, president of Hill …
It’s important to communicate regularly with the dialysis partner regarding a resident’s status for continuity of care. The facility should communicate certain details to the dialysis partner and vice versa on days the resident has …
Communication is key to providing residents quality care. This is especially true for dialysis patients who are particularly vulnerable: lack of communication can lead to missed dialysis appointments, medication errors, adverse events, and rehospitalization. This …
The average cost of a hospital readmission is 12.4 percent higher than the average cost of the original hospital admission ($16,300 vs. $14,500), according to a 2023 analysis by the Agency for Healthcare Research and …
Historically, pain is underassessed and undertreated in the geriatric population, says Liz Barlow, RN, CRRN, RAC-CT, DNS-CT, QCP, vice president of marketing at Synchrony Health Services in Louisville, KY. “Up to 75 percent of community-dwelling …
To meet residents’ individualized needs, the director of nursing services (DNS) requires the expertise of many healthcare professionals working collaboratively, including the dietitian. This tool provides guidance on how to enhance collaboration between the nursing …
To meet residents’ individualized needs, the director of nursing services (DNS) requires the expertise of many healthcare professionals working collaboratively. For expertise on nutrition, the DNS should collaborate with the registered dietician (RD), who is …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Anna Sherman, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at RD Nutrition Consultants, discuss the registered dietitian’s role as a …
The director of nursing services (DNS) has many issues to prioritize each day, such as resident falls, staffing, and grievances. Unfortunately, the DNS may be tempted to relegate clinical rounds to “later,” considering them a …
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 …
The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF), which opened its online doors in December 2022 thanks to a three-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is …
As people age, oral health often declines. Teeth can lose enamel, and gums may recede, causing tooth loss and pain. Oral health is much more than just brushing and flossing. Symptoms in a resident’s oral …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Dr. Nancy Kusmaul, PhD, MSW, associate professor in the baccalaureate social work program at the University of Maryland, …
F740 (Behavioral Health Services) is not a frequently cited F-tag so far in calendar year (CY) 2023, according to QCOR data posted on Aug. 13, 2023. However, the consequences can be severe—surveyors often issue this …
