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Ask Proactive – When completing an MDS, how do we know which diagnosis should be coded as the primary diagnosis for a resident with multiple conditions (for example, CHF, diabetes, and pressure ulcer)?
Q: When completing an MDS, how do we know which diagnosis should be coded as the primary diagnosis for a resident with multiple conditions (for example, CHF, diabetes, and pressure ulcer)? A: This question comes up often in SNFs. The primary diagnosis should be...
October 1, 2025 MDS Changes: What You Need to Know!
October 1, 2025 MDS Changes: What You Need to Know! CMS has released the RAI User’s Manual v1.20.1, effective October 1, 2025, with updates across multiple MDS sections. While Sections GG and J bring the most significant changes, every adjustment matters for...
Home Health News: The Benefits of Outsourcing ICD-10 Coding for Home Health Agencies
The Benefits of Outsourcing ICD-10 Coding for Home Health Agencies Home health agencies face increasing pressure to maintain compliance, optimize reimbursement, and ensure high-quality patient care. One of the most critical areas impacting all three is ICD-10...
Ask Proactive – When does the state survey agency or CMS usually apply the remedy of a Directed Plan of Correction?
Q: When does the state survey agency or CMS usually apply the remedy of a Directed Plan of Correction? A: A Directed Plan of Correction (DPoC) is a remedy that provides for directed action(s) from either the State or CMS Regional Office (RO) that the facility...
BIG Changes to the Falls with Major Injury QM: What Changed and Why it Matters
BIG Changes to the Falls with Major Injury QM: What Changed and Why it Matters In the ever changing environment of quality reporting in healthcare, few metrics carry more weight than the Falls with Major Injury (FMI) measure. The Falls with Major Injury (FMI)...
Best Practices for Establishing and Honoring Code Status
Best Practices for Establishing and Honoring Code Status When a new resident arrives at your nursing facility, one of the most critical steps in the admission process is confirming and documenting their code status - the instructions for how medical providers...
Ask Proactive – I struggle with identifying Moisture Associated Skin Damage (MASD) from some pressure injuries. How can MASD and pressure injury be differentiated?
Q: I struggle with identifying Moisture Associated Skin Damage (MASD) from some pressure injuries. How can MASD and pressure injury be differentiated? A: Differentiating between Moisture Associated Skin Damage (MASD) and pressure injuries can be challenging,...
Home Health News: QAPI as Driver of Home Health Care Quality
QAPI as Driver of Home Health Care Quality Quality is at the heart of home health care. Every patient deserves safe, effective, and compassionate care delivered in their home. To achieve this goal, Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) must be a...
Ask Proactive – What documentation and information must skilled nursing facilities obtain and retain from hospice?
Q: What documentation and information must skilled nursing facilities obtain and retain from hospice? A: The following are required: The most recent hospice plan of care specific to each patient Hospice election form Physician certification and recertification...
Tips for an Effective Plan of Correction
When a deficiency is cited, the clock starts ticking. How you respond through your Plan of Correction can set the tone for your survey outcome—and your facility’s reputation. This week, we’re sharing practical tips to help you craft a PoC that not only meets...
Managing Medications in the Home: A Home Health Guide
Managing Medications in the Home: A Home Health Guide One of the most important parts of successful home health care is making sure patients take their medications safely and correctly. Missed doses, duplicate medications, or confusion about instructions can...
Ask Proactive – I’m a charge nurse, and a resident just passed away. The family is asking to take the medications home since they paid for them. What should I do?
Q: I'm a charge nurse, and a resident just passed away. The family is asking to take the medications home since they paid for them. What should I do? A: This can be a difficult situation to navigate with grieving families. Even though the family may have paid...
Year-Round Survey Readiness
Year-Round Survey Readiness Regulatory changes have been plentiful for the long-term care profession over the past five years—with operators persevering through the COVID pandemic, changes to government funding policies, and significant revisions to Appendix PP...
Home Health News: Strategies for Sustainable Growth in Home Health Care
Strategies for Sustainable Growth in Home Health Care The home health industry is growing faster than ever. With an aging population, advances in technology, and increased preference for receiving care at home, agencies have a golden opportunity to expand their...
FAQs on Systems for LTC Policies and Procedures
FAQs on Systems for LTC Policies and Procedures Policies and procedures are far more than written guidelines – they provide a backbone of safety and consistency. Skilled nursing policies and procedures outline expectations and play a crucial role in regulatory...