CMS Quality, Safety, & Oversight memo QSO-21-19-NH includes new interpretive guidance for surveyors for F887 (COVID-19 Immunization), as well as updated investigative procedures, potential tags for additional investigation, and survey tools. In addition, the memo …
While many nursing homes thankfully are no longer in crisis staffing mode, recruiting staff remains a top priority in a highly competitive job market. “Staff recruitment breaks down into meeting two overarching challenges,” says Julie …
By CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) Residents, Clients, and Staff Link to CMS release: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-expanding-efforts-grow-covid-19-vaccine-confidence-and-uptake-amongst-nations-most-vulnerable AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid …
“Across the country, the high rate of turnover in long-term care is a serious workforce problem,” says Dr. Linda Shell, DNP, MA, BSN, DNS-CT, Chief Learning Officer, LindaShell.com. “The cost associated with this turnover—the organizational …
On May 11, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a new interim final rule and QSO memo regarding new COVID-19 vaccination immunization requirements for residents and staff. Facilities will now be …
Question: Will I still be able to access AADNS courses that I am currently taking on the new AAPACN website? Answer from AAPACN: Yes. You still have access to any courses that have not expired …
AAPACN’s latest set of tools provides nurse leaders with guidance on how to best utilize the pharmacy’s services and expertise and assists nurse leaders to collaborate with the pharmacist and maximize his or her expertise …
NHSN hosted a live webinar training for the updates to the weekly COVID-19 Vaccination modules. If you missed this live training, don’t worry, NHSN will rebroadcast this training for more times followed by a live …
In celebration of Nurses Week 2021, the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) Leading In Care Blog will recognize an AAPACN 2021 Award winner each week in May. Winners were honored at the AAPACN …
By CMS The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering web-based training that provides an overview of the general and key clinical considerations important for conducting standardized cognitive and mood assessments. This four-course …
By CMS On May 5, 2021, as a part of CMS’ ongoing COVID response efforts to support the long term care community, CMS debuted its first social media videos highlighting staff, also referred to as …
By the OIG Report OEI-07-19-00490 The Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS’s) use of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) as the sole data source to count the …
The past year has brought a multitude of changes for everyone, but especially those in nursing homes. While the public health emergency (PHE) situation continues to evolve, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) …
Most recent updates: May 5, 2021 CDC’s NHSN provides healthcare facilities, such as long-term care facilities (LTCFs), with a secure reporting platform for reporting outcomes and process measures in a systematic way. Reported data are immediately …
New tool provides innovative solutions for states and facilities to protect our nation’s vulnerable nursing home residents during emergency CMS has released a Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes (PDF) UPDATED (5/5/21) developed to aid …
These address issues related to SNF consolidated billing, telehealth, and other Medicare coverage and payment issues. Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF) UPDATED (5/6/21) Medicare Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion Program Instruction (PDF) (2/16/21) …
The 2021 AAPACN Conference featured a highly-anticipated session, “ReFOCUS: 2021 CMS Regulatory Updates,” in which representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shared their insights on current regulatory challenges and future regulatory …
Mental and behavioral healthcare is one of many resident care needs that transitioned to telehealth (i.e., telephone or video visits) in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, …
By Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA Have you ever stopped to ask, “How did life amidst a pandemic affect my ability to be a good nurse leader in post-acute care or any …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) update the Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19 memo, QSO-20-39-NH, and the Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public …
Question: How do you access 2021 AAPACN Conference sessions you wanted to see but may have missed? Answer: Members who registered for the 2021 AAPACN Conference but were unable to view a session live can …
On Thursday April 8, 2021, CMS issued the QSO-21-17-NH announcing the end of the following three blanket waivers: 1. The emergency blanket waivers related to notification of Resident Room or Roommate changes, and Transfer and Discharge notification …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in an April 8, 2021, QSO memo the following updates: • CMS is announcing that select blanket waivers are ending: o The emergency blanket waivers related to notification …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Nursing Homes. This guidance merges two prior documents (Responding to COVID-19 in Nursing Homes …
The safety of residents is a top priority for a skilled nursing facility (SNF). But how does one promote safety in such a dynamic environment? Three critical steps the director of nursing services (DNS) and …
While areas of concern related to medication administration (i.e., medication pass or med pass) are specific to each facility, there are certain common issues. Directors of nursing services (DNSs) can use the following tips to …
by AAPACN To meet the needs of medically complex residents, a holistic, individualized approach to care is required, including when a resident is at risk for a decline or change in condition. This guide provides …
Author: Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-CT, QCP Question: Can a CNA cut, trim, or even color a resident’s hair? This question has come up as we are into the pandemic and our beautician has …
On April 8, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released for public inspection the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Proposed Rule for the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) and Consolidated Billing, …
Summary of Recent Changes Updates as of March 29, 2021 Two prior guidance documents, “Responding to COVID-19 in Nursing Homes” and “Performing Facility-wide SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Nursing Homes” were merged with this guidance. The criteria …
Two new resources from AHRQ are part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect nursing home residents and staff from COVID-19. Both are intended to support the use of observational audits, which help facilities understand …
NEW TRAINING AVAILABLE – Resident Mood Interview (PHQ-9) for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Setting Video Tutorial CMS Resident Mood Interview (PHQ-9) for the SNF Setting Video Tutorial The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services …
Memo # QSO-21-15-ALL Posting Date 2021-03-26 Fiscal Year 2021 Summary Burden Reduction Final Rule Interpretive Guidelines: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is releasing interpretive guidelines and updates to Appendix Z of the …
The FDA posted a new web page SARS-CoV-2 Viral Mutations: Impact on COVID-19 Tests for clinical laboratory staff and health care providers about the impact of viral mutations on COVID-19 molecular, antigen, and serology tests. This web …
Attention QIES Users: CMS is in compliance with disposition authority N1-440-09-03 and only retains assessment and supporting data that is less than 10 years old in the QIES National database. Therefore, assessment-based quality measures generated in …
ASPR TRACIE (part of the US Department of Health and Human Services) received a request for information on clinical presentation, disease progression, and related information from clinicians in the field treating COVID-19 patients after the …
Interim Estimates of Vaccine Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Health Care Personnel, First Responders, and Other Essential and Frontline Workers — Eight U.S. Locations, December 2020–March 2021 …
https://www.cms.gov/how-update-nursing-home-nhskilled-nursing-facility-snf-demographic-data SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) quality data on Care Compare are updated on a quarterly basis. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be transitioning to a new data source for providers’ demographic data for all five …
Transmittal 10678, dated March 16, 2021, is being rescinded and replaced by Transmittal 10693, dated, March 25, 2021 to remove business requirement 12212.2, to modify business requirement 12212.3 to remove the reference to any action …
It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since the first nursing home resident contracted the novel coronavirus. Our way of living changed drastically, especially in long-term care. In-person visitation ended, and residents …
While data on hospital readmissions of skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents who have had COVID-19 following SNF discharge currently remains scarce, at least one study indicates the need for careful management of the discharge planning …
Question: I have a resident who dropped off the active resident list on the MDS 3.0 Resident Level Quality Measure Report, but is still in our facility and receiving services. He was never physically discharged …
Date 2021-03-23 Event Long-Term Care: Dementia-related Psychosis Call Topic Dementia Care in Nursing Homes When: Tuesday, March 23, 2021, from 1:30 to 3 pm ET Event Materials: Presentation (PDF) Audio recording (ZIP) Transcript (PDF) Description: National …
Guidance released March 10, 2021 regarding Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC affects only select elements of the current Nursing Home ICAR tool until an updated version of the …
Note from staff: This lawsuit, brought by the now director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, not only alleges problems with the discharge process, it alleges that SNFs submitted false data to …
Enforcement Memoranda Interim Enforcement Response Plan https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/standards#temp_enforcement_guidance OSHA’s interim enforcement response plan memoranda provide instructions and guidance to Area Offices and compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) for handling COVID-19-related complaints, referrals, and severe illness …
CMS Use of Data on Nursing Home Staffing: Progress and Opportunities To Do More (OEI-04-18-00451) The OIG has made four key recommendations related to staffing that CMS concurred with. These recommendations state that CMS should: Provide …
REGISTRATION OPEN – SNF QRP: Achieving a Full APU The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webinar on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET to educate …
Note: The Access to Ombudsman information is highlighted in red in the memo, but that is what was revised in July. The new updates focus on the updated Q&As under the section, Individuals Entering and …
On March 10, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued updated guidance for nursing homes to safely expand visitation options during …
Summary · What is already known about this topic? Skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents, generally older and with more underlying medical conditions than community-dwelling adults, were not included in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. Little is …
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) releases its March 2021 Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy. The report includes MedPAC’s analyses of payment adequacy in traditional fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare and reviews the status of Medicare Advantage …
OSHA launches program to protect high-risk workers from coronavirus, focuses on employers that retaliate against workers with safety concerns WASHINGTON, DC – In response to President Biden’s executive order on protecting worker health and safety, the …
High nursing staff turnover in nursing homes offers important quality information Gandhi A, Yu H, Grabowski DC. Health Aff (Millwood). 2021 Prior research has found that high nursing staff turnover is associated with lower patient safety culture. …
Updated Mar. 10, 2021 Find the most recent update here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-after-vaccination.html CDC guidance for SARS-CoV-2 infection may be adapted by state and local health departments to respond to rapidly changing local circumstances. On this page Visitation …
NOTE: CMS revised guidance on March 10, 2021 for nursing home visitation during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which supersedes the visitation guidance in this memo. See CMS memorandum QSO-20-39-NH Revised, Nursing Home Visitation-COVID-19. ————————————————————————————————- …
Mar 10, 2021 Nursing homes have been severely impacted by COVID-19, with outbreaks causing high rates of infection, morbidity, and mortality.[1] The vulnerable nature of the nursing home population, combined with the inherent risks of congregate …
“Heroes work here.” It was a common theme in the early days of the pandemic. Signs were placed in front of the facility, and people would cheer and line the streets as healthcare personnel went …
Long-term care is in a difficult state right now, acknowledges Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist at AAPACN. “It has been a full year of battling COVID-19. The pandemic heavily impacted residents, staff, and …
Retaining a talented workforce is a top priority; to achieve this goal, leaders must create a welcoming onboarding experience. This toolkit presents education for department managers and administration as well as tools leaders can use …
Question: If all that my facility reports to NHSN is COVID data, are we required to complete the annual NHSN survey? Answer: The survey is not required for facilities submitting only COVID-19 data. However, the 2020 …
by Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA When the COVID-19 vaccines were first rolled out earlier this year, it was a joyful surprise that healthcare workers, SNF staff, and nursing home residents were …
Updates March 1, 2021 SNF QRP FAQs An update to the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document is now available. This document has been updated to reflect the …
The Quick Reference Guides provide high-level information on the SNF Quality Reporting Program, including frequently asked questions and helpful links. In February 2021, CMS issued a generic guide that is not based on fiscal year. …
Full text: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/133/text Sections addressing SNF VBP changes and access to services for hemophilia residents: SEC. 111. IMPROVING MEASUREMENTS UNDER THE SKILLED NURSING FACILITY VALUE-BASED PURCHASING PROGRAM UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM. …
There is a phenomenon of hostility among nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), commonly referred to as “nurses eating their young.” This incivility is pervasive, often seen as a rite of passage, and directed at …
As the COVID-19 pandemic eases, directors of nursing services (DNSs) may want to turn their attention to the care area assessments (CAAs) in the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process, suggests Barbara Bates, RN, MSN, RAC-CT, …
Question: What interventions have you found to be successful for residents who are not eating or eating poorly after COVID illness? Answer: Is poor intake related to impaired smell or taste? If so, this …
A resource guide, written by and for directors of nursing, administrators, and other nursing home leaders, outlines steps to reduce or eliminate urgent staff shortages, particularly shortages of direct care workers. This guide is from the …
Updates as of February 10, 2021 Updated the Implement Universal Use of Personal Protective Equipment section to expand options for source control and patient care activities in areas of moderate to substantial transmission and describe …
Weekly HCP & Resident COVID-19 Vaccination Data Reporting Long-term care facilities can track weekly COVID-19 vaccination data for residents and healthcare personnel (HCP) through NHSN. This reporting is currently optional. Training Reporting Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Data …
The Center for Medicare Advocacy released a new report – Geography Is Not Destiny: Protecting Nursing Home Residents from the Next Pandemic – which explores facilities’ responses to the coronavirus crisis and examines how residents’ deaths were …
ASPR TRACIE Emergency Preparedness Report: Identifying and Overcoming Healthcare Communications Vulnerabilities: Nashville, TN While the Christmas morning recreational vehicle blast outside the AT&T transmission facility in Nashville did not cause a mass fatality incident, it …
As part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, healthcare facilities large and small must be proactive and move quickly to protect themselves from cyberattacks that could directly impact the health and safety of patients and the …
The Improving Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act) requires the Secretary to specify resource use measures, on which post-acute care (PAC) providers, including skilled nursing facilities, are required to submit necessary data specified …
Historically, each rule or update notice issued under the annual Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) rulemaking cycle included a detailed reiteration of the various individual legislative provisions that have affected the SNF …
COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers & Flexibilities for Health Care Providers (PDF) UPDATED (2/19/21) Long Term Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities and/or Nursing Facilities) (PDF) UPDATED (02/03/21) From https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/emergency-preparedness-response-operations/current-emergencies/coronavirus-waivers
AHRQ has released the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report: Chartbook on Patient Safety 2021, which offers an overview of nonidentifiable, aggregated patient safety event and near-miss information that has been voluntarily reported by AHRQ-listed Patient Safety Organizations. …
The Five Star Preview Reports were available on February 15, 2021. To access these reports, select the CASPER Reporting link located on the CMS QIES Systems for Providers page. Once in the CASPER Reporting system, …
From AHRQ News Now: Skilled nursing facilities that tested AHRQ’s Re-Engineered Discharge (RED) toolkit found that training during weekly staff meetings was more effective than a single full-day course, according to a study published in Clinical Nursing Research. …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers strategies for optimizing the supply of: N95 respirators Face masks Isolation gowns Eye Protection Gloves Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Elastomeric respirators Ventilators https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html Also see: Summary …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the Drug Regimen Review standardized patient assessment data elements (SPADEs) found in the …
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2021 AHRQ has released the Network of Patient Safety Databases (NPSD) Chartbook 2021, which offers an overview of nonidentifiable, aggregated patient safety event and near-miss information that has been voluntarily reported by …
by Caralyn Davis, Staff Writer As the nursing department leader in long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC), the director of nursing services (DNS) needs a hefty toolbox of clinical skills. However, leadership skills are also critical …
Accepting a new position as the director of nursing services (DNS) often begins with excitement for the new challenges and many opportunities to make a positive difference. However, in the first few days and weeks, …
Effective Communication: Get the Nursing Team on the Right Track Establishing strong, open communication in the nursing department has always been a challenge, says Suzy Harvey, RN-BC, RAC-CT, director of clinical specialty services for Foster …
Leadership significantly affects CNA retention. To improve your facility’s CNA retention, as a leader, use the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Retention Tip Sheet that outlines the five leadership principles and 10 actions to help leaders …
Question: What can facility leadership do to best improve Quality Measures? Answer: It takes time and intentional effort to develop and implement processes that consistently produce quality, which is then reflected in Quality Measure …
DATE: June 1, 2020 REVISED 01/04/2021 TO: State Survey Agency Directors FROM: Director Quality, Safety & Oversight Group SUBJECT: Revised COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control deficiencies, and Quality Improvement …
This ZIP file contains resources for surveyors conducting initial surveys under the Long-term Care Survey Process (LTCSP). 2/5 updates LTCSP Procedure Guide Expansion of complaints/FRIs in LTCSP during recertification survey LTCSP 11.9.5 User Guide Expansion …
The LTCSP Procedure Guide provides instruction on the procedural and software steps necessary for completing the LTCSP. Use the Procedure Guide for all standard surveys of SNFs and NFs, whether freestanding, distinct parts, or dually …
CMS will be transitioning to a new data source for a provider’s demographic data for all five Post-Acute Care (PAC) provider types (Skilled Nursing Facilities / Nursing Facilities (SNF/NFs), Home Health Agencies (HHAs), Inpatient Rehabilitation …
For more recent information about CMS survey priorities, also see QSO memo QSO-20-31-ALL-REVISED. ————————————————————– Background CMS is committed to taking critical steps to ensure America’s health care facilities and clinical laboratories are prepared to respond …
Federal regulations require nursing homes to provide safe, individualized medication administration to residents. However, even before the COVID-19 public health emergency, many consultant pharmacists only went to nursing homes once a month for medication regimen …
By Jessica Kunkler, MA When interviewing for a new position, don’t forget that an interview is a two-sided exchange. “Not only is the facility interviewing you to determine if you’re a good fit for them, but …
Question: Do the Focused Infection Control (FIC) surveys affect my facility’s Five-Star rating? Answer: Yes, the Focused Infection Control (FIC) surveys do affect a facility’s Five-Star rating. Deficiencies cited on FIC surveys are treated slightly …
Main Points Opioids are probably less effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for surgical dental pain and kidney stone pain and might be similarly effective to NSAIDs for low back pain. Opioids might be and …
CMS created the Five-Star Quality Rating System to help consumers, their families, and caregivers compare nursing homes more easily. The Nursing Home Compare Web site features a quality rating system that gives each nursing home …
For some regions of the country, recent months have brought the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities since the start of the pandemic, a new KFF analysis of state-reported cases and death shows, underscoring …
