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. September 2022 update (As …
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 …
PITTSBURGH – Five individuals and two for-profit skilled nursing facilities in Southwestern Pennsylvania have been indicted by federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and related health care …
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 …
Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has released a new advisory on how to address healthcare worker burnout in nursing homes. This includes assistance from providers, government, academic institutions, technology, friends and families, and the workers themselves. …
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 …
Facility leaders can listen to a new free podcast from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) regarding staff resiliency in long-term care. Dr. Vanessa Raabe, MD discusses areas such as how …
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 …
Editor’s note: In this two-part series, this article addresses operational steps that can boost long-term retention of certified nursing assistants (CNAs). The next article will cover management techniques that can help directors of nursing services …
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 …
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 AAPACN curriculum development specialist, Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, about some of the …
Although staffing has always been a challenge, the situation has worsened over the last year and doesn’t seem likely to improve anytime soon. An American Health Care Association (AHCA) survey found that 73% of 616 …
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 …
Question: I have a facility that is experiencing a surge of COVID positive patients and staff. Presently, a significant portion of their staff is out due to COVID-19 or isolation related to COVID exposure. Their in-house …
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 …
On June 1, AAPACN sent out the 2021 Work Study survey link—this survey will collect valuable information from both the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) and director of nursing services (DNS) on wage, job satisfaction, and job …
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 …
On a day-to-day basis, the DNS can become so busy with staff and resident care that they completely lose track of employee files. However, the DNS is often either directly responsible for or works with …
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
Toolkit 3: Guide to Improving Nursing Home Employee Satisfaction There are many resources out there to help nursing facilities improve quality, but it can be overwhelming to identify which are most relevant to your facility’s …
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 …
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 …
Time is running out – soon it will be a requirement to have an infection preventionist on staff at your facility. Use AADNS’s Infection Preventionist Job Description to help customize your job description for this …
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. …
