The latest news, events, blogs and more…
Rounding for Outcomes for Nurse Leaders
Rounding for Outcomes for Nurse Leaders Compliance rounds can be instrumental to ensuring accountability, improving resident outcomes, and supporting QAPI initiatives. Rounding consistently and with purpose ensures that care processes meet regulatory standards...
SNF ADR Update
SNF ADR Management: Prepare for Post-Probe Surge The SNF 5-Claim Probe & Educate officially ended on June 30, 2025, but for many providers, the scrutiny is just beginning. While CMS guidance indicates that providers with 100% error rates (5/5 claims in...
Ask Proactive – We’ve been receiving complaints from residents and families about slow call light response times. What are some simple interventions we can put in place to improve this?
Q: We’ve been receiving complaints from residents and families about slow call light response times. What are some simple interventions we can put in place to improve this? A: A few practical steps can make a big difference: Acknowledge quickly: If you can’t...
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...