News / Blog
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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...
LTC Social Services Director Essentials — A Guide to Daily, Weekly & Monthly Responsibilities
LTC Social Services Director Essentials—A Guide to Daily, Weekly & Monthly Responsibilities The Social Services Director plays a vital, multifaceted role in nursing home care. Among key responsibilities, the SSD position ensures that residents’ psychosocial...
New SNF Audits Coming—How to be Ready
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) plays a vital role in driving resident care through the resident-centered care plan process, regulatory compliance, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, quality outcomes, and reporting programs. MDS data accuracy has been under increased...
Home Health News: Emergency Preparedness for Home Health
Emergency Preparedness for Home Health Emergencies can strike without warning natural disasters, power outages, pandemics, or severe weather events all pose serious risks to home health patients and staff. That’s why an effective Emergency Preparedness Plan...
Ask Proactive – Our facility has been issued a Denial of Payment for new admissions due to survey deficiencies. Should we continue to submit the MDS for current and newly admitted residents?
Q: Our facility has been issued a Denial of Payment for new admissions due to survey deficiencies. Should we continue to submit the MDS for current and newly admitted residents? A: A Denial of Payment for new admissions (DPNA) is a CMS enforcement remedy that...
Home Health News: Navigating Home Health Targeted Probe and Education (TPE)
Navigating Home Health Targeted Probe and Education (TPE) Staying compliant with Medicare billing guidelines is essential. One of the tools CMS uses to ensure accuracy and reduce improper payments is the Targeted Probe and Education (TPE) program, a medical...
Ask Proactive – A resident was admitted with a diagnosis of acute on chronic respiratory failure requiring a new tracheostomy. The trach was placed during the hospital stay and the resident continues to require suctioning, respiratory monitoring, and oxygen therapy here in the SNF. Would we use the respiratory failure or presence of tracheostomy as the primary diagnosis?
Q: A resident was admitted with a diagnosis of acute on chronic respiratory failure requiring a new tracheostomy. The trach was placed during the hospital stay and the resident continues to require suctioning, respiratory monitoring, and oxygen therapy here in the...
F695—Respiratory & Tracheostomy Care in LTC
F695—Respiratory & Tracheostomy Care in LTC In today's skilled nursing environment, respiratory and tracheostomy care isn't just a specialized service—it's an essential competency. With increasing acuity among residents and heightened regulatory scrutiny,...