News / Blog
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Retaining Top-Notch MDS Staff—Tips for Supporting Your MDS Team
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the retention of skilled and dedicated MDS (Minimum Data Set) staff is critical. MDS coordinators play a pivotal role in assessing patients' needs, maintaining compliance with regulations, and facilitating smooth...
Sharpening Pain Management Charting
Pain is a significant issue for many nursing home residents that can negatively impact quality of life when not appropriately managed. Unrelieved pain can lead to a decline in the resident’s function, cognitive, mood, behavior, and psychosocial status. An effective...
Ask Proactive – We have a resident who was admitted to the nursing home on 2/4/24 and scheduled their MDS admission assessment with an ARD (assessment reference date) for 2/11/24. They elected to enroll in a hospice program on 2/9/24. We know a significant change MDS assessment needs to be completed when a resident elects hospice. Do we need to schedule a significant change MDS assessment in addition to their admission MDS assessment?
Q: We have a resident who was admitted to the nursing home on 2/4/24 and scheduled their MDS admission assessment with an ARD (assessment reference date) for 2/11/24. They elected to enroll in a hospice program on 2/9/24. We know a significant change MDS assessment...
Upholding Standards: Investigating Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
As leaders in the nursing home industry, ensuring the well-being and safety of residents is paramount. One of the most challenging aspects of this responsibility is investigating allegations of abuse and neglect within our facilities. In this article, we will explore...
Ask Proactive – We have a lot of residents on Scheduled Toileting. I’m worried we won’t get credit for them during our next CMI validation. What will I need to show our review nurse to receive credit?
Q: We have a lot of residents on Scheduled Toileting. I’m worried we won’t get credit for them during our next CMI validation. What will I need to show our review nurse to receive credit? A: The RAI Manual MDS item H0200C, 'Current Toileting Program'...
Ask Proactive – When is it appropriate to use staff interviews on the MDS?
Q: When is it appropriate to use staff interviews on the MDS? A: For the four interviews on the MDS (BIMS, PHQ2/9, Activities, and Pain), direct resident input should be the primary approach as observations may be misleading. For instance, the RAI manual...
Mastering Behavioral Health Documentation: Top 5 Tips for Skilled Nursing Facilities
Behavioral health issues in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) require meticulous documentation to ensure proper care and compliance with regulations. Accurate documentation not only facilitates effective treatment but also helps in addressing legal and regulatory...
ICD-10-CM Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
PDPM coding and reimbursement success relies significantly on ICD-10 coding accuracy. In particular, the impact of ICD.10 coding on the clinical category, SLP, Nursing, and NTA comorbid diagnoses cannot be overstated; Medicare reimbursement for SNF services depends on...
Ask Proactive – As a new DON, what duties should I expect from the Medical Director?
Q: As a new DON, what duties should I expect from the Medical Director? A: The duties of the Medical Director are addressed in the CMS regulations as follows: F841 483.70(h) Medical director. 483.70(h)(1) The facility must designate a physician to serve...
The Impact of Accurate Depression Screening
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) plays a crucial role in influencing facility reimbursement, quality measures, and overall care quality. The accuracy of MDS coding is paramount, relying heavily on precise assessments and interviews. Accuracy in assessing and screening for...
Ask Proactive – Can you have an elopement event when the resident does not leave the facility, ex: found in the business office?
Q: Can you have an elopement event when the resident does not leave the facility, ex: found in the business office? A: Yes, this situation could be considered an elopement. Per CMS, “A situation in which a resident leaves the premises or a safe area...
Five Star Improvement Check Up for the MDS Department
Providers focused on Five Star improvement often look to the MDS department as a driver of Five Star performance. Let’s examine the potential impact of the MDS on facility star ratings and consider key focus areas for coding accuracy… Before jumping to the conclusion...
Ask Proactive – How are A1005: Ethnicity, and A1010: Race supposed to be coded on an unplanned Discharge Assessment or Death in Facility Tracking Record?
Q: How are A1005: Ethnicity, and A1010: Race supposed to be coded on an unplanned Discharge Assessment or Death in Facility Tracking Record? A: As these are direct resident interview items the obvious concern is that the resident may not be asked in the...
DON’s New Year’s Resolution List
With 2024 underway, it’s time to focus on what we would like to accomplish in the next 350 days remaining in the year. If you haven’t already created one, consider these goals for your DON New Year’s Resolution list. Be Survey ready 365 days a year. This is not...
Ask Proactive – I pulled the Q4 2023 Facility Level Quality Measure report for my facility in January and noticed several measures are displayed as “I” for incomplete. Can you please explain why these measure calculations are shown as incomplete on my report?
Q: I pulled the Q4 2023 Facility Level Quality Measure report for my facility in January and noticed several measures are displayed as “I” for incomplete including the following: Percent of Residents Whose Ability to Walk Independently Worsened Percent of Residents...