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. May 2023 Updates Person-Level …
The Infection Preventionist (IP) has become an integral part of the nurse leadership team in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Therefore, turnover in this important position brings many ramifications. When the IP position is vacant, it …
The infection preventionist (IP), under the direction of the director of nursing services (DNS), is responsible for the development, implementation, direction, and operation of the facility’s infection prevention and control program (IPCP). The IP’s responsibilities …
Executive Order (in particular, section 2 is worth reading for nursing home-specific information): By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is …
The staffing crisis is an ongoing dilemma for long-term care. To combat the effects of this crisis, directors of nursing services (DNS) may be tasked with finding creative solutions. Often, DNSs focus on the lack …
During a QAA/QAPI meeting, the director of human resources announces the monthly staff turnover rate and shares information about a job fair she will attend. After this report, another department director takes a turn sharing …
From the John A. Hartford Foundation: Public Policy & Aging Report (PP&AR) has released a Special Issue, “2022 NASEM Quality of Nursing Home Report: Moving Recommendations to Action.” PP&AR, a publication of The Gerontological Society of America, supplemental issue focuses …
When new employees see their leader is invested in their success, including proficiency in their job performance as well as becoming a part of team, the odds of retaining the employee increase dramatically. AAPACN’s Retaining …
Question: What are some best practices for providing a welcoming and thorough clinical orientation for nurses and unlicensed staff? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT: AAPACNS’s Onboarding Essentials: Welcoming Staff to Promote …
Written by Michael Daniels, RN, DNS-CT, QCP, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA All one needs to do is peruse the long-term care (LTC)/skilled nursing facility (SNF) job openings online for a few minutes to realize that something is …
When the pandemic pummeled the nursing home workforce, nursing homes lost more jobs than any other healthcare setting. This loss compounded the staffing shortage facilities were already confronting, leaving many facility leaders physically and emotionally …
The nurse assessment coordinator’s role in ensuring compliance with complex federal requirements is paramount to the success of the financial operations of a facility and the care of residents. Use this NAC Job Description, to …
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 …
The Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) electronic staffing data system remains a little bit of a mystery to many directors of nursing services (DNSs), but the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is going all-in on …
By: Pauline Karikari-Martin PhD, MPH, MSN, PHNA-BC, RN Senior Nurse Researcher and Cameron Ingram, MFA Policy Analyst of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality From https://www.cms.gov/blog/centers-medicare-medicaid-services-staffing-study-inform-minimum-staffing-requirements-nursing-homes In February 2022, President Biden announced a comprehensive set …
CMS outlines actions for states to improve safety and quality of care for residents The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an informational bulletin detailing actions that states can take using existing Medicaid …
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 Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the …
The medical director’s role in infection prevention and control involves more than just signing off on whatever comes their way via quality assessment and assurance committee (QAA) meetings, says Deb Patterson Burdsall, PhD, RN-BC, CIC, …
Question: Can an LPN/LVN be the infection preventionist for a skilled nursing facility? Answer from Denise Winzeler BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT: Yes, an LPN/LVN can be the infection preventionist as long as they have …
Nursing homes must designate “one or more individuals as the infection preventionist (IP) who is responsible for assessing, developing, implementing, monitoring, and managing the infection prevention and control program (IPCP),” which includes the requirements at …
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is developing a survey item set to assist nursing homes to identify and improve workplace safety. They are currently seeking nursing homes to participate in the pilot …
Question: Where can I find information regarding staffing on the AAPACN website? Answer from Scott Hammond: Use the word “staffing” in the search feature on the AAPACN website. This provides the user with various articles …
Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA and Alexis Roam, MSN, RN-BC, DNS-CT, QCP The annual rulemaking process enables stakeholders to comment on proposals that will affect skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) throughout the next year. In early …
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 …
Since the start of the pandemic, the healthcare system has experienced significant job losses, but in recent months, all sectors have slowly begun to recover—except for nursing homes and assisted living communities (AHCA, 2021). Despite …
Editor’s note: In this two-part series, this article covers management techniques that can help directors of nursing services (DNSs) and other members of the administrative team improve long-term certified nursing assistant (CNA) retention. The first …
In the third and final part of this podcast series, Kim Hicks, vice president of business development for AAPACN, and Brandon Tappan, executive vice president for ShiftKey, an AAPACN Diamond Partner, and Faygee Morgenshtern, CEO of …
In the second part of this podcast series, Kim Hicks, vice president of business development for AAPACN, and Brandon Tappan, executive vice president for ShiftKey, an AAPACN Diamond Partner, and Faygee Morgenshtern, CEO of People …
In the first part of this podcast series, Kim Hicks, vice president of business development for AAPACN, and Brandon Tappan, executive vice president for ShiftKey, an AAPACN Diamond Partner, and Faygee Morgenshtern, CEO of People …
Memo # QSO-22-08-NH Posting Date 2022-01-07 Fiscal Year 2022 Summary CMS will begin posting the following information for each nursing home on the Medicare.gov Care Compare website: Weekend Staffing: The level of total nurse and …
While still a small percentage of overall nursing home citations, citations at the level of immediate jeopardy (IJ) have skyrocketed since the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency, largely driven by an explosion of …
During the pandemic, priorities shifted. They had to. The safety and care of the residents was the number one priority, and it required all hands on deck. Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) found themselves working the …
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 …
Lead certified nursing assistant (CNA) programs can create positive change in nursing homes. While program goals often vary from facility to facility, lead CNA programs may improve resident quality of life and quality of care, …
Question: Is there specific guidance regarding staff working in multiple facilities? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-CT, QCP: Currently, there are no federal guidelines specific to staff who work in multiple facilities. However, …
During their first days on the job, new nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) can expect paperwork and orientation videos as they are introduced to their role. But what should a new NAC expect by the end …
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 16, 2021 Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of an estimated $103 million in American Rescue Plan …
In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MT, AAPACN vice president of education and certification strategy discusses the art of interviewing potential employees with Sherry Thomas, BS, RN, QCP, IPCO, director of …
Nursing school does not prepare nurse leaders to interview job applicants, so figuring out the process to find the right candidate is often a challenge. Leaders want to find the best fit for the position—someone …
Nurse leaders want to hire candidates with the right characteristics and talents necessary to be successful in their jobs. AAPACN’s new Interview Template Tool allows the nurse leader to customize the desired characteristics and talents, …
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has revised its National Emphasis Program (NEP) for COVID-19. The agency launched the NEP on March 12, 2021, to focus on companies that put the …
With staffing shortages and specific, regulation-mandated job duties, nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) today may feel that taking time for vacation just isn’t possible. The NAC must ensure the facility has MDS assessments in place, makes …
AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Labor. ACTION: Interim final rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is issuing an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to protect healthcare …
US Department of Labor’s OSHA issues emergency temporary standardto protect health care workers from the coronavirusOSHA also releases new guidance for all industries WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Medicare Part D Payments During Covered Part A SNF Stay Medicare Part A prospective payments to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) cover most services, including drugs and biologicals furnished by the SNF for use in the …
CDC provides information on COVID-19 vaccinations for residents and staff: Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination for Residents of Long-term Care Facilities The Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel
Question: Could you please share some really good interview questions for an ADON position? Looking for questions that would show their commitment and knowledge to LTC. Answer: I like to use a combination of …
By Jessica Kunkler, MA One in four nursing assistants and one in five home health aides report that they are actively looking for another job. That’s a lot of unhappy employees. This turnover comes at a …
The QIES Technical Support Office has updated its Payroll-Based Journal Frequently Asked Questions. Jan 23, 2020 · Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) Frequently Asked Questions 01/2020 (PDF 113 KB) From https://qtso.cms.gov/providers/nursing-home-mdsswing-bed-providers/reference-manuals
The old saying you never get a second chance to make a first impression is sage advice for healthcare leaders. Nursing homes within the same geographical vicinity are competing with each other to attract talent, …
It can start out as little things. Something doesn’t feel quite right. The environment around you feels hushed or hostile. And then you become the target. That was the experience for a nurse who was …
Toolkit 1: Nursing Home Staff Competency Assessment UPDATE 1/08/19: The electronic versions of the Nurse and Management Assessment have been updated. Quality care is complex. That’s why the CMPRP competency assessment helps nursing homes break down …
What does it take to be a successful DNS? AADNS’s Body of Knowledge for the Director of Nursing Services in Long-Term Care identifies, defines, and measures the core competencies required of DNSs practicing in SNFs. …
