The role of the director of nursing services (DNS) in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) can be stressful due to the number of competing priorities in each day. Delegation, when done properly, can help relieve …
The Five Star Preview Reports will be available on or around March 20, 2024. Provider Preview Reports have moved to iQIES as of August 2023. Please follow the steps below to locate the Provider Preview …
Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes to Prevent Spread of Multidrug-resistant Organisms (MDROs) Memo #QSO-24-08-NH Posting Date 2024-03-20 Fiscal Year 2024 Memorandum Summary • CMS is issuing new guidance for State Survey Agencies and long term care …
The HCP Flu Vaccination Module, which is part of the HCP component in NHSN, is used to input required NHSN data for the SNF QRP. This site provides access to the HCP Vaccination Module: Influenza …
Nursing homes are required to establish a surveillance system (i.e., “the routine, ongoing, and systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of surveillance data”) as part of their infection prevention and control program (IPCP) under F-tag …
According to the Nursing Homes webpage of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) site, “Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities (NFs) are required to be in compliance with the requirements in 42 …
“Why in the world did my staff member say this?” and “Why did my staff do that?” are two questions that no director of nursing services (DNS) wants to have when reading the Statement of …
In this podcast, 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, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss the opportunity for AAPACN members …
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, …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now requiring all certified skilled nursing facilities to report healthcare personnel influenza data through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). The reporting period for this data …
The March 2024 Quarterly Confidential Feedback Reports for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program are now available to download via the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). …
COVID-19 Vaccination Rates – State and National Averages State and National averages for facility resident and healthcare personnel COVID-19 vaccination rates. Data are presented as one row per state or territory plus a row for …
The MDS Data Specifications V3.02.0 (DRAFT) are now available for download under the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage. The Section GG goal items will be removed, and three new items will be added: O0350 …
In response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the National Institutes of Health assembled a panel of experts to provide practical recommendations for health care providers. For close to 4 years, the COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines …
The February update of Appendix B to the RAI 3.0 User’s Manual contains changes to the list of State RAI Coordinators, MDS Automation Coordinators, and CMS locations and contacts. To ensure accurate formatting, use a current version of …
It’s that time of year again! The AAPACN 2024 Conference will be held this year in Hollywood, FL, on April 10 – 13. AAPACN is excited to gather to celebrate outstanding post-acute care professionals, meet …
Issued on 02/26/2024 | Posted on 02/29/2024 | Report number: OEI-02-20-00492 Report Materials Full Report (PDF, 1.5 MB) Why OIG Did This Review Nursing home residents and staff have been especially impacted by the COVID‑19 pandemic. Now, it is critical to learn from …
update existing compliance program guidance documents (CPGs) and deliver new CPGs. OIG intends to publish industry segment-specific CPGs (ICPGs) focused on Medicare Advantage and nursing facilities in 2024. After addressing these segments, OIG anticipates publishing updated ICPGs …
Updated February 2024 The FY 2024 Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule (88 FR 53200) revised data collection and submission requirements for the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) affecting the Fiscal …
Press release from the Marcus Institute on Aging: Findings based on 12 studies involving 2,901 participants While tai chi is understood to be beneficial for functional mobility and balance in older adults, such benefits are …
Announcements This is a friendly reminder to log into NHSN and make sure your facility has an active Facility Administrator. Please note that only the Facility Administrator can enroll a facility in a one or …
Skilled Nursing Facilities Pooled proportion of healthcare personnel reported as vaccinated in Skilled Nursing Facilities reporting to NHSN, by personnel group and state, 2022-2023 influenza season. From https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/datastat/flu-datatables.html
Long-term care facilities can track weekly vaccination data for residents and healthcare personnel (HCP) through NHSN. February 2024 Updates Resources January 2024 Updates Training Data Collection Forms and Instructions COVID-19 Vaccination Data Collections Forms Note: …
The FY2024 ICD-10-CM codes are to be used from April 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024. Note: This replaces the FY 2024 – October 1, 2023 release. These files listed below represent the ICD-10-CM FY2024 April …
SUMMARY REPORT PUBLISHED: SNF QRP Listening Session: Possible Expansion of MDS Data Submission to All SNF Patients Regardless of Payer CMS has published a summary report on the virtual SNF QRP Listening Session that was …
Main Points Deprescribing has emerged as a clinical practice to reduce polypharmacy and use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and serve as a mechanism for quality improvement and increased patient safety. The purpose of this …
Medicare covers skilled nursing care and skilled therapy services under skilled nursing facility, home health, and outpatient therapy benefits when a beneficiary needs skilled care to maintain function or to prevent or slow decline, as …
On Feb. 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), finalized modifications to the Confidentiality of …
Under F-tag 726 (Competent Nursing Staff) in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual, nursing staff, including registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs), must have “the competencies …
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 …
To improve staff retention, the director of nursing services (DNS) and administrator should regularly assess the nursing department’s culture. AAPACN’s Nursing Department Culture Assessment and Improvement Worksheet can help the DNS and administrator review multiple …
The University of Kansas is recruiting for participants in NIA-funded research study testing the Changing Talk: Online Training (CHATO). This free study provides direct-care staff with 3.0 contact hours of dementia training. Benefits to facilities, …
Staff turnover is a nationwide problem for nursing homes and it may be worse than previous reports have suggested, according to a study of newly available Payroll-Based Journal data published in the National Library of …
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 …
iQIES is the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System, which is the system that the MDS submissions system is being transferred to. The QIES Technical Support Office maintains a website with iQIES reference materials, including …
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 …
In this podcast, Kim Hicks, vice president of business development for AAPACN, and Jessica Stucin, RN, BSN, LNHA, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, assistant director of education for MDS Consultants, LLC, an AAPACN Diamond Business Partner, discuss some …
Updated guideline offers the latest in evidence-based research to reduce pain, expand function and improve quality of life ROSEMONT, Ill. , Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) issued an update to the Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are hosting a joint webinar to share stories directly from nursing home teams that have developed successful strategies …
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 …
A top-down or autocratic management style is becoming increasingly outdated for dealing with today’s healthcare workforce in non-emergent situations. Other leadership styles, such as transformational leadership, often work better to help staff feel valued, supported, …
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 …
Hand Hygiene, Gown and Glove Use Adherence Protocols Supporting Chapters Data Collection Forms & Instructions All Data Collection Forms are Print-only PPM Monthly Reporting Plan Annual Facility Survey LTCF Training FAQs Supporting Materials Guidance Documents …
Multidrug-Resistant Organism & Clostridioides difficile (MDRO/CDI) Infection Event Reporting Module Using Laboratory-identified Event Methodology Protocols Supporting Chapters Note: This document includes CDC locations and labels for all NHSN facility types. For Long-term Care Facility locations and labels, …
Skilled Nursing Facility CERT reports Skilled nursing facilities (SNF) is defined as all services with a provider type of SNF, including SNF inpatient, SNF outpatient, and SNF inpatient Part B. The projected improper payment amount …
Protocols Supporting Chapters Data Collection Forms & Instructions All Data Collection Forms are Print-only UTI Events Denominator Forms Monthly Reporting Plan Annual Facility Survey LTCF Training Educational Roadmap FAQs Supporting Materials Guidance Documents Analysis Resources …
Long-term care facilities can track weekly vaccination data for residents and healthcare personnel (HCP) through NHSN. January 2024 Updates Training Updates to Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Data Reporting: Long-term Care Facilities – January 2024 Slideset [PDF – …
In 2023, the AAPACN Leading in Care Blog brought you inspiration, personal member stories, clarification on need-to-know topics such as the iQIES transition, Quality Measures, and MDS updates, as well as details about important events …
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Cost Report dataset is a public use file that provides select measures from the skilled nursing facility annual cost report. This data includes provider information such as facility characteristics, utilization data, …
01-09-2024 | OEI-06-22-00030 | Complete Report KEY TAKEAWAY The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) struggled to support nursing homes during mass enrollment into the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) in 2020 and as COVID-19 …
The draft Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Item Sets version (v)1.19.1 and Item Matrix are now available. The MDS Item Sets v1.19.1 will be effective beginning October 01, 2024. From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/resident-assessment-instrument-manual
Therapy Services: Per-Beneficiary CY 2024 Threshold Amounts The CY 2024 KX modifier threshold amounts are: More Information: Therapy Code List: 2024 Annual Update CMS updated the list of codes (ZIP) that sometimes or always describe therapy services and …
This user guide addresses Minimum Data Set (MDS) error messages and troubleshooting. CMS iQIES MDS Error Message Reference Guide v1.1 (posted 01/08/2024) From https://qtso.cms.gov/providers/nursing-home-mdsswing-bed-providers/reference-manuals
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older — United States, 2024 Weekly / January 11, 2024 / 73(1);11–15 Changes in the 2024 Adult Immunization Schedule Vaccine-specific changes in …
The PDPM At-a-Glance tool breaks down the complex methodology of each component used in the Patient-Driven Payment Model—physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech-language pathology (SLP), non-therapy ancillaries (NTA), and nursing. This tool provides key …
Note: The audio file listed in the title may not be available. Thursday, December 7, 2023: Transcript, Q&A, Agenda and Audio File- Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum (ZIP) From https://www.cms.gov/training-education/open-door-forums/about/odf-podcast-and-transcripts
In response to provider questions related to the MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual posted on September 20, 2023, an updated MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual v16.0, effective 10-1-2023, is now posted. Additionally, the updated .zip file titled MDS …
ADD Effective 10/1/2023 Major Category I. C. – Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Major Category II. A. – Dialysis, EPO, Aranesp, Other Related Services for ESRD Major Category III. A. -Chemotherapy Major Category III.D.-Customized Prosthetic Devices …
Excerpted from the John A Hartford Foundation: The Better Care Playbook has released a new Collection, “Improving Nursing Home Care Quality: Understanding the Evidence and State Opportunities,” for health care stakeholders, including policymakers, health plans and …
Weekly / December 22, 2023 / 72(51);1357–1364 Dallas J. Smith, PharmD1,2; Anastasia Lambrou, PhD1,2; Pragna Patel, MD3 Summary What is already known about this topic? Early recommended antiviral treatment prevents hospitalizations and deaths among patients with …
(CMS-3326-F) Memo # QSO-24-03-CLIA Posting Date 2023-12-28 Fiscal Year 2024 Memorandum Summary• Publication of Final Rule: CMS-3326-F was published on December 28, 2023. This final rule updates the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) …
This paper provides an overview of Health Information Technology (HIT) adoption and utilization in long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) settings. This study found that LTPAC have adopted electronic health records (EHRs) to support clinical and …
Weekly / December 22, 2023 / 72(51);1371–1376 Summary What is already known about this topic? Nursing home residents are vulnerable to infection with and complications from SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Vaccination reduces severe …
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 …
As the leader of the nursing department, the director of nursing services (DNS) plays an integral role in the disciplinary process. Managing employee performance can be challenging, but it is necessary. Failure to address employees’ …
The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing (HIGN) is now offering free behavioral health education. The Behavioral Health in Long-Term Care series offers modules for registered nurses and interprofessionals on behavioral health disorder identification and recovery …
Since the implementation of the RAI User’s Manual version 1.18.11 on Oct. 1, 2023, several long-term care nursing facilities have experienced electronic health record (EHR) software issues as well as complications with the MDS 3.0 …
A surveyor investigating a resident with multiple falls approaches a nurse and asks why the care plan wasn’t updated with the latest fall prevention interventions. The nurse tells the surveyor that she doesn’t have anything …
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 …
In this podcast, 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, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss common barriers in the care …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the guidance for testing and management of respiratory illnesses last month. The following practices should be considered when SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are found to be …
From the Moving Forward Coalition and the Live Oaks Project: https://movingforwardcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Guidance-on-Culture-Change-for-Nursing-Home-Quality-Improvement.pdf?mc_cid=d4ffa43439&mc_eid=0c83b59b91
This document presents technical specifications for the production of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims-based measures (CBMs) for the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program maintained by the Centers for …
Video and transcript available This live Q&A session allowed participants to ask CMS subject matter experts about the methodologies and interpretations of the CMS Health Equity Confidential Feedback Reports for post-acute care (PAC) providers in …
Some items of potential interest: HHS/FDA Proposed Rule Stage Medical Devices; General and Plastic Surgery Devices; Classification of Certain Solid Wound Dressings, Wound Dressings Formulated as a Gel, Cream, or Ointment, and Liquid Wound Washes …
The QIO program offers an article and resources here: The QIO program offers an article and resources here: https://qioprogram.org/quality-in-action-blog-series/hqi-helps-nursing-home-successfully-implement-motivational
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is alerting Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) providers of upcoming measure removals from the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP). The following quality measures are planned for removal from …
Louisiana Should Improve Its Oversight of Nursing Homes’ Compliance With Requirements That Prohibit Employment of Individuals With Disqualifying Background Checks 11-29-2023 | A-06-21-02000 | Complete Report | Report in Brief Why OIG Did This Audit Background checks for …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has teamed up with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop a new resource, the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing …
Emergencies can occur at any moment. Fires, hurricanes, snowstorms, ice storms, water main breaks, power outages, and outbreaks are just a few of the emergencies nursing homes must prepare for throughout the year. However, in …
The continuing expansion of the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing program (SNF VBP) quality measure (QM) set is part of a multi-pronged approach by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to encourage improvements …
Errata V3.01.4 for MDS Data Specifications V3.01.1 (FINAL) is now available for download. Six issues were added to the errata. As a result, four edits were revised, and there were several mapping changes of items …
Memo # Admin Info: 24-05-NH Posting Date 2023-11-20 Fiscal Year 2024 Memorandum Summary • Guidance and Focus Concerns – Identifies the FY2024 and FY2025 Focus Concerns and guidance on how CMS Location staff will conduct …
This job aid outlines the user roles and privileges in iQIES. All users must have a role in iQIES. Version 4.1 is now available at https://qtso.cms.gov/system/files/qtso/iQIES%20User%20Roles%20Matrix%20Job%20Aid%20v4.1%20FINAL%2011.14.2023_0.pdf
Audit of Nursing Homes’ Nurse Staffing Hours Reported in CMS’s Payroll-Based Journal Nursing homes are required to electronically submit complete and accurate direct care staffing information to CMS’s Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system on a quarterly …
With so many Quality Measures originating from three different payment initiative programs, it’s a lot to keep track of. AAPACN’s At-a-Glance QM, QRP, and VBP tool organizes all of the measures for you. This tool has been …
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Rules Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Disclosures of Ownership and Additional Disclosable Parties Information for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Facilities; Medicare Providers’ and Suppliers’ Disclosure of Private Equity Companies …
WHO has updated its guidelines for COVID-19 therapeutics, with revised recommendations for patients with non-severe COVID-19. This is the 13th update to these guidelines. Updated risk rates for hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19 …
The GCPG is a reference guide for the health care compliance community and other health care stakeholders. The GCPG provides information about relevant Federal laws, compliance program infrastructure, OIG resources, and other items useful for understanding health …
Biden-Harris Administration Proposes to Protect People with Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Coverage from Predatory Marketing, Promote Healthy Competition, and Increase Access to Behavioral Health Care in the Medicare Advantage Program Fact sheet Contract Year …
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 …
On Oct. 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) kicked off a critical step in expanding the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing program (SNF VBP) quality measure (QM) set. This expansion means …
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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its website to include new respiratory toolkits. This webpage features toolkits and resources to help prepare for the 2023 respiratory virus season including: This AAPACN …