Five-Star, NHQI, SNF QRP, SNF VBP, PBJ data Announcement: January 2023: Data have been refreshed for January 2023. Because of COVID-19 reporting exceptions, the claims-based measures were calculated excluding Q1 and Q2 2020. For additional …
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 …
The CY 2023 PFS Final Rule contains provisions concerning Medicareprovider enrollment. These principally involve the following: (1) Moving skilled nursingfacilities (SNFs), various provider enrollment ownership changes, and certain other providersand suppliers into the “high” level …
Question: Where can I find information about iQIES? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the new iQIES Reports User Manual. This manual …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memo last week containing updates to Care Compare and Quality Measure ratings. These changes include: CMS will consider a lesser action to the star ratings …
2015—the year that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added antipsychotic medication use quality measures (QMs) to the Five-Star Quality Rating System—marked the beginning of some difficult trends in the potentially inappropriate diagnosis …
Starting on January 17, 2023, post-acute facilities and Medicare health plans will no longer receive phone calls for appeal notifications (when a new appeal has been filed). Post-acute facilities and Medicare health plans will receive …
Participants will learn to identify requirements of a person-centered care plan, identify ways to develop a relationship with a resident that facilitates care planning, and define person-centered care according to the Centers for Medicare & …
Jan. 11, 2023: As a result of the continued consequences of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health …
Due to the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) quarterly deadline, the iQIES Service Center is projecting an increase in the volume of calls and emails between now and February 14, 2023. For More Information Contact the …
Weekly health care personnel (HCP) & Resident COVID-19 Vaccination Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Data Reporting Long-term care facilities can track weekly COVID-19 vaccination data for residents and healthcare personnel (HCP) through NHSN. January 2023 and December …
Long-term care is one of the most regulated settings in this country. The interpretive guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, which surveyors apply during an onsite survey, is 856 pages long—and that …
While completing MDS assessments, nurse assessment coordinators can monitor for regulatory compliance during the chart review. If compliance issues arise, leadership should be notified to correct them. NACs can utilize AAPACN’s Medical Record Alert Sheet …
F-tag 880 (Infection Prevention and Control) is the second most frequent citation nationwide in calendar year (CY) 2022—and the third most frequently cited at the immediate jeopardy (IJ) severity level, according to QCOR (Quality, Certification, …
Question: If the DNS is on the schedule Monday through Friday for 8-hour shifts each day and 40 hours per week, and serves primarily as RN coverage, are they allowed to leave the building for …
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 available for use in strengthening local …
Emergency preparedness planners in nursing homes can adapt this new On-Campus Hospital Armed Assailant Planning Considerations document to help prepare their facilities to mitigate, respond to, and recover from an armed assailant or active shooter situation on …
Full list here: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain Some highlights are excerpted below: HHS/SAMHSA Proposed Rule Stage Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder 0930-AA39 HHS/CMS Proposed Rule Stage Administrative Simplification: Adoption of Standards for Health Care Attachment …
Prevention Process Measures: Hand Hygiene, Gown and Glove Use Adherence Most Recent Updates Protocols Supporting Chapters Data Collection Forms & Instructions All Data Collection Forms are Print-only PPM Monthly Reporting Plan Annual Facility Survey FAQs …
The National Forum of ESRD Networks has shared a communication tool, updated on Dec. 2, 2022, that covers nursing home communication to dialysis facilities, as well as dialysis facility communication to nursing homes: LTCF-Dialysis Infection …
AG Healey Secures $1.75 Million Resolution With Nursing Home Chain Over Failure To Meet the Needs of Residents With Substance Use Disorder BOSTON — A Connecticut-based long-term care management company operating nursing homes across southern New England …
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has released an updated online course that explains options for assisting individuals who need decision-making support. Finding the Right Fit: Decision-Making Supports and Guardianship is a free, …
Effective Oct. 24, 2022, nursing homes are required to implement revised pain management guidance under F-tag 697 (Pain Management) in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual for residents with active opioid use disorder or …
From 2015 – 2019, the number of long-stay residents who were coded in MDS item I6000 (Schizophrenia (e.g., Schizoaffective and Schizophreniform Disorders)) jumped by 35 percent, according to the November 2022 report Long-Term Trends of …
SUBJECT: Revisions to Appendix I – Survey Procedures for Life Safety Code Surveys I. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: Revisions based on 81 FR 26871 and 81 FR 42548 published on 5/4/16 (effective 7/5/2016) amended the fire …
As of October 24, 2022, nursing facilities must comply with updates the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made to the surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual. Although changes to …
by Michele Mummert, RN, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, Director of Research and Development, The Compliance Store Care planning is the foundation of resident care in the long-term care setting. Everything done to care for the resident …
Note that this memo is for all healthcare providers, but there are several “nursing homes in particular” statements, including but not limited to: “Nursing homes, in particular, should review and reinforce their infection control protocols …
There is a new Quality in Focus tab at the CMS QSEP Training site: https://qsep.cms.gov/ProvidersAndOthers/publictraining.aspx Available LTC-focused resources now available include: Quality in Focus Resources for Addressing LTC Free of Accident Citations Training for Providers …
This ZIP file contains resources for surveyors conducting initial surveys under the Long-term Care Survey Process (LTCSP). It is a one-stop shop containing a multitude of reference materials that are provided to the surveyors going …
Long-Term Trends of Psychotropic Drug Use in Nursing Homes(OEI-07-20-00500) OIG found that from 2011 through 2019, about 80 percent of Medicare’s long-stay nursing home residents were prescribed a psychotropic drug. While the Centers for Medicare …
On Oct. 3. 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) renewed the nationwide opioid public health emergency (PHE), marking the launch of the PHE’s sixth year. Some nursing homes have been slow …
Question: What does a facility have to do to maintain compliance if they use bedrails or grab bars? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT: F700 in Appendix PP of the State Operations …
Title Memo # Posting DateSort ascending Fiscal Year Transitioning Certification Functions for Changes of Ownership, Administrative Changes, and Initial Enrollment Performed by the SOG Locations ***Revised to Transition Several Providers and Suppliers and Provide Additional …
It just got a little more difficult for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to avoid a 2 percent reduction to their annual payment update (APU) in the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP). For …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised guidance regarding COVID-19 staff vaccination requirements. This revision combines previous memos QSO-22-07-ALL, QSO-22-09-ALL, and QSO-22-11-ALL.CMS defines noncompliance of this requirement as a “rate of less than …
Revised Guidance for Staff Vaccination Requirements Memo # QSO-23-02-ALL Posting Date 2022-10-26 Fiscal Year 2023 Memorandum Summary • CMS is committed to taking critical steps to protect vulnerable individuals to ensure America’s health care facilities …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) measure to start collecting data during the 2022-2023 influenza season (October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023). CMS …
Among the many decisions directors of nursing services (DNSs) make during their day, some of the most challenging involve regulatory requirements the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued. DNSs may find themselves …
White House Announces More Aggressive Enforcement Actions for SFF On Oct. 22, 2022, the White House announced an enaction of “more aggressive enforcement” actions to strengthen the accountability for the Special Focus Facilities (SFF). These …
Question: Is a concave mattress considered a restraint? Answer from Carol Maher, RN-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-CTA, RAC-CT, CPC: According to Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, a restraint is defined as, “Any manual method or …
Memo: QSO-23-01-NH (PDF) Press release: Changes to CMS’ Special Focus Facilities program will increase scrutiny, hold facilities accountable for substandard safety and quality, and improve care for residents As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued commitment …
CMS issued updates on 10/24 and on 10/26 as noted in the boxes below. Effective Date Document/File Name Description of Change 10/26/2022 1. Survey Resources 2. Appendix PP Updated: 1. LTC Survey Pathways (CMS 20054- …
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 …
The LTCSP Initial Pool Care Areas folder, inside the Survey Resources folder, includes four documents, one each for: record review, resident interview, resident observations, and resident representative interview. They walk through what the surveyors investigate/ask …
COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers & Flexibilities for Health Care Providers (PDF) UPDATED (10/13/22) Unless otherwise noted, these waivers will terminate at the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) From https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/EPRO/Current-Emergencies/Current-Emergencies-page
On Oct. 24, 2022, surveyors will begin using new survey guidance to identify noncompliance with QAPI, trauma-informed care, and resident safety, including abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) leaders should be in the …
Transmittal # R207SOMA Issue Date 2022-09-30 Subject Revisions to State Operation Manual (SOM), Appendix PP Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities Implementation Date 2022-10-01 CR # N/A Publication # 100-07 I. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: …
Memo # Admin Info: 22-10-All Posting Date 2022-09-28 Fiscal Year 2022 Summary The Quality, Safety & Oversight Group (QSOG) and Survey & Operations Group (SOG) remain dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of all …
Hurricane Ian (South Carolina) Secretary Becerra used his authority in the Public Health Service Act to declare a public health emergency (PHE) on September 30, 2022, giving us the flexibility to support our beneficiaries in South Carolina, …
On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual. Highlights of the updates can be found in the …
Question: Are there regulatory requirements regarding the use of outdoor patios by independent residents that should be included in a facility policy? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT: There is no regulation …
Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Summary of Recent Changes Updates as of September 23, 2022 In most circumstances, asymptomatic HCP with higher-risk exposures do not require work restriction. Updated …
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Nursing Homes has been replaced by Infection Control Guidance and it applies to “all U.S. settings where healthcare is delivered, including nursing homes and …
Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19 (REVISED) Memo # QSO-20-39-NH REVISED 09.23.2022 Memorandum Summary • CMS is committed to continuing to take critical steps to ensure America’s healthcare facilities are prepared to respond to the Coronavirus …
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 09/23/2022 QSO-20-38-NH REVISED (PDF) Memorandum …
Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic Summary of Recent Changes Updates as of September 23, 2022 Updated to note that vaccination status is no longer …
QSO-22-25-CLIA DATE: September 26th, 2022 TO: State Survey Agency Directors FROM: Director, Quality, Safety & Oversight Group (QSOG) SUBJECT: CMS Rescinds December 7, 2020, Enforcement Discretion for the Use of SARS CoV-2 Memorandum Summary CMS …
The FDA published the FDA Voices: “FDA Issues New Guidance to Help Facilitate Availability of Naloxone to Prevent Opioid Overdoses and Reduce Death,” by Marta Sokolowska, Ph.D., Deputy Center Director for Substance Use and Behavioral …
Guidance for Federal Monitoring Surveys (FMS) Memo # Admin Info-22-09-All Posting Date 2022-09-21 Fiscal Year 2022 Summary • Provide guidance on how CMS Location staff will conduct Federal Monitoring Surveys (FMS) in FY2022 and FY2023. …
Mrs. C is an 85-year-old resident with cognitive impairments. She often wanders from room to room and likes to pick up pretty trinkets and put them in her purse for safekeeping. Mr. M finds her …
The baseline care plan has been a requirement of Medicare/Medicaid participation under F-tag 655 (Baseline Care Plans) since the November 2017 implementation of phase two of the Reform of Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities. “While …
Question: Do residents in Wyoming need to have a two-step Mantoux test upon admission and readmission to a facility if it is in a low-risk area or will screening suffice? Answer from Alexis Roam, MSN, …
LANSING, MI – A nurse has been charged with causing serious physical and mental harm to a vulnerable adult, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. Beverly Ann Bratcher, 56, of Newaygo was charged in the 61st District …
Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Specific Providers REVISED Memo # QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC REVISED Posting Date 2022-08-29 Fiscal Year 2022 Summary CMS continues to review the need for existing emergency …
On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual. Some are minor technical updates, while others introduce entirely …
CMS has issued a new fact sheet with information about which COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) waivers and flexibilities have already been terminated, have been made permanent, or will end at the end of the …
While key details are still pending, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) final rule makes clear that meeting the reporting requirements of the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting …
From NETEC Long-term care (LTC) settings are communities where residents congregate closely in shared spaces, and equipment is used between residents, staff, visitors, and vendors who enter and leave frequently. This makes LTC an ideal …
These FAQs were created to address questions about Enhanced Barrier Precautions as defined in the CDC guidance “Implementation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Nursing Homes to Prevent Spread of Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MDROs)” FAQS addressed …
National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes: Antipsychotic Medication Use Data Report (April 2022) he National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes is committed to improving the quality of care for …
Certain Nursing Homes May Not Have Complied With Federal Requirements for Infection Prevention and Control and Emergency Preparedness (A-01-20-00005) Selected nursing homes may not have complied with Federal requirements for infection prevention and control and emergency …
Medicare Program: Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Quality Reporting Program and Value-Based Purchasing Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2023; etc. PDF 348 Pages (962 KB)Permalink Press release: CMS Acts to Improve the …
Audits of Nursing Home Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness in Eight States Identified Noncompliance With Federal Requirements and Opportunities for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to Improve Resident, Visitor, and Staff Safety We …
Hillcrest Nursing and Rehabilitation, located in Massachusetts, failed to provide an individual’s health care proxy with timely access to her son’s medical records. In addition to a monetary settlement of $55,000, Hillcrest will undertake a …
Summary of Recent Changes: Added additional rationale for the use of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) in nursing homes, including the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) colonization among residents in this setting. Expanded residents for …
On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released significant revisions to the State Operators Manual (SOM), which surveyors will use to identify noncompliance starting on Oct. 24, 2022. While revisions in several …
On June 29, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a major update to surveyor guidance via Quality, Safety and Oversight (QSO) memo QSO-22-19-NH to strengthen the implementation of the already-in-effect Phases 2 …
CMS Issues Significant Updates to Improve the Safety and Quality Care for Long-Term Care Residents and Calls for Reducing Room Crowding June 29, 2022 As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s initiative to promote the safety and quality …
Long Term Care Regulatory and Interpretive Guidance and Psychosocial Severity Guide Updates – June 2022 (LTCRIGPSG) Access here: https://qsep.cms.gov/pubs/CourseMenu.aspx?cid=0CMSLTCRegIG_PSG OR https://qsep.cms.gov/ProvidersAndOthers/publictraining.aspx Training Description This course consists of a series of presentations by the Division of …
Memo # QSO-22-17-ALL Surveys for compliance with Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care StaffVaccination Requirements Posting Date 2022-06-14 Fiscal Year 2022 Summary • Survey oversight of the staff vaccination requirement for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers …
This manual provides general background and information about the submission requirements, such as sample submission screens, submission deadlines, and definitions of job categories. Note: Changes from the previous version of this policy manual are identified …
Guidance related to Emergency Preparedness- Exercise Exemption based on A Facility’s Activation of their Emergency Plan Memo # QSO-20-41-ALL REVISED 05.26.2022 Posting Date 2022-05-26 Fiscal Year 2022 Summary • Emergency Preparedness Training and Testing Program …
Nursing home leaders can reference this resource to ensure that the facility’s emergency preparedness plan is current and captures an all-hazards approach to meeting the health, safety, and security needs of staff and residents during …
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
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is taking actions to promote competition and transparency in our nation’s health care system that can improve the safety and quality of nursing homes and hospitals. The Centers for …
Last week, the AAPACN 2022 Conference was held in Las Vegas, bringing together nursing professionals for exceptional learning opportunities. One outstanding session occurred on Thursday, April 14, when representatives from the Centers for Medicare & …
An updated version of the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Threshold Report (PTR) is now available. The PTR is a user-requested, on demand report which enables users to obtain the status of their data submission …
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 …
In this LTC DON Chat podcast, Amy Stewart, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Janet Feldkamp, a partner with Benesch Healthcare, discuss updates on survey and regulatory issues that skilled nursing facilities …
AHRQ has created a guide for nursing home leaders as they implement COVID-19 vaccination programs among staff members. The resource identifies important factors to consider from planning to implementation, including guidance on updating policies and …
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 …
JAMA Network Open Study Key Points excerpt: Findings This quality improvement study of 13 339 nursing homes found that daily variation of staffing was significantly associated with the 5-Star Survey and Quality Measures rankings. There was little …
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. …
Registration and data submission resources. PBJ QTSO Registration and Training 02-24-2022 (PDF) From https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Staffing-Data-Submission-PBJ
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 …
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are items most long-term care professionals are familiar with, but they may not immediately recognize how the determinants affect their job. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health …
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 …
