The latest news, events, blogs and more…
Ask Proactive – We have a resident who receives Haldol decanoate injections every 3 weeks. How is this coded in section N of the MDS?
Q: We have a resident who receives Haldol decanoate injections every 3 weeks. How is this coded in section N of the MDS? A: Haldol decanoate is a long-acting antipsychotic medication and the MDS 3.0 RAI User Manual provide the following guidance related...
F565: Implementing Resident and Family Councils
While residents and families are not required to organize a resident or family group in their facility, the F 565 regulation does stipulate the obligations of the facility when residents/families choose to exercise this right. F565 states “The resident has a right to...
Ask Proactive – How will the 10/1/23 changes to the MDS impact the 5-Star Quality Measure rating for nursing facilities?
Q: How will the 10/1/23 changes to the MDS impact the 5-Star Quality Measure rating for nursing facilities? A: On 9/20/23, CMS issued QSO-23-21-NH, which announced that CMS will replace some of the Quality Measures (QMs) used on Nursing Home Care...
10/1 Update to the Coding of Parkinson’s Disease
As of October 1, 2023, the code G20 is now obsolete and will likely reject on any billing to Medicaid, Medicare, or insurance companies. Prior to your November billing, you will want to update to the appropriate new codes to avoid delayed billing processes. This...
Outside the Box Staffing: Remote MDS
On any given day, there are more than 1500 open MDS positions across the United States. With MDS staff feeling the ongoing pressure of staffing shortages, combined with the added stress of the October 1st MDS changes, many facilities are at significant risk of MDS...
LTC Best Practices: F770-779 Labs & Other Diagnostic Services
Consistent adherence to nursing home regulations is crucial for ensuring resident safety and well-being. In this blog, we overview of CMS Nursing Home Regulations F770-779, which cover laboratory and diagnostic services. We'll delve into the key compliance elements...
Ask Proactive – What do I need to know about the changes to Depression Screening in MDS Section D that were effective October 1, 2023?
Q: What do I need to know about the changes to Depression Screening in MDS Section D that were effective October 1, 2023? A: MDS Section D, “Resident Mood Interview,” which captures depression screening, changed from the full PHQ-9 (which includes 9...
Ask Proactive – What can a Director of Nursing (DON) do to ensure an effective antibiotic stewardship program is in place?
Q: What can a Director of Nursing (DON) do to ensure an effective antibiotic stewardship program is in place? A: The DON plays a significant role in establishing and maintaining an effective antibiotic stewardship program. Here are key strategies the DON...
IQIES and CASPER Reports
Earlier this year CMS transitioned from QIES to IQIES for MDS submission and CASPER reporting access. This transition left some MDS coordinators confused about how to access reports that were previously made available through QIES. Available report types for each user...
Ask Proactive – How can I ensure my care plan meetings are meeting the needs of the resident, responsible party and the IDT while being efficient and mindful of everyone’s time?
Q: How can I ensure my care plan meetings are meeting the needs of the resident, responsible party and the IDT while being efficient and mindful of everyone’s time? A: Care planning is a critical aspect of patient-centered care and plays a pivotal role...
Navigating Nursing Home Survey Trends Into the New Fiscal Year
As a new fiscal year begins, it's the perfect time to dive into survey trends we've witnessed across the nation in the past year. These these trends can serve as a guide to preparations for upcoming surveys. For those eagerly awaiting the survey team's arrival, these...
Drug Regimen Review: Ensuring Medication Safety and SPADES Compliance
In the complex landscape of geriatric healthcare, medication errors can significantly impact LTC resident health, safety and quality of life. Unfortunately, potential and actual adverse consequences related to medications are prevalent, often occurring during...
Ask Proactive – It has been 3 years since our facility’s last annual survey. What are the top Life Safety K tags that are being cited?
Q: It has been 3 years since our facility’s last annual survey. What are the top Life Safety K tags that are being cited? A: The top 5 Life Safety K tags have been fairly consistent over the last few years and have primarily just changed in their ranking...
Ask Proactive – What is the best practice for Section GG documentation?
Q: What is the best practice for Section GG documentation? A: As with most processes, the provider must determine the process that is most suitable for their facility policy, while also adhering to Federal and State requirements. According to a CMS FAQ...
Caution! MDS Bumps in the Road with 10/1 Transition
With the implementation of the MDS 3.0 v1.18.11 this past Sunday, October 1st, it may not be surprising that there have been a few bumps in the road. Software vendors continue to work diligently to address issues, but here are some transitional potholes that you may...