News / Blog
Need to brush up on the latest industry news? Look no further! Proactive Medical Review consultants provide up-to-date blog postings to keep you in the know.
The latest news, events, blogs and more…
The Ins and Outs of Remote MDS Completion: Perspectives from a Remote MDS Pro
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency brought with it many changes and challenges for long-term care facilities. In many cases, staffing became critically low due to employees leaving permanently or temporarily because of intermittent illnesses and quarantines....
Ask Proactive – What is the difference between an IPA and a Significant Change Assessment?
Q: What is the difference between an IPA and a Significant Change Assessment? A: The IPA, which is completed for payment purposes under PDPM is often confused with the SCSA, which is a clinical assessment. The OBRA SCSA is required to be completed when there is...
Ask Proactive – The Registered Dietitian in my building has documented malnutrition on a new admission. I want to ensure I receive the 1 NTA point for malnutrition. Can I use the Dietician’s documentation to code Malnutrition in I5600? Will coding malnutrition in I5600 capture the NTA point?
Q: The Registered Dietitian in my building has documented malnutrition on a new admission. I want to ensure I receive the 1 NTA point for malnutrition. Can I use the Dietician’s documentation to code Malnutrition in I5600? Will coding malnutrition in I5600 capture the...
2022 Survey Trends to Guide 2023 Survey Success
As we begin a new year, many of us are reflecting back on 2022 to help us set goals for positive change in 2023. Do your goals include prioritizing 5-Star Improvement or better survey outcomes? As you know, both annual surveys...
Ask Proactive – What are the top non-compensation focused nurse retention strategies for front line nurse managers?
Q: What are the top non-compensation focused nurse retention strategies for front line nurse managers? A: According to research published in the Journal of Gerontological Nursing, {45(11), 11-19} which was used to develop an evidence-based nurse retention...
MDS to Transition to iQIES
As previously announced, CMS will be migrating MDS submission and reporting to the internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) in early 2023. CMS has not yet established the go-live date for the transition. The iQIES portal is available at...
Overcoming Behavioral Care Planning Pitfalls
Behavioral health can be one of the most complex aspects of long term care. Thoughtful and personalized care planning is key to both proactive preventative strategies and an effective response to challenging behaviors. This week’s blog breaks down the critical...
Ask Proactive – Did the ICD-10 codes for Dementia recently change?
Q: Did the ICD-10 codes for Dementia recently change? A: Yes, the FY 2023 ICD-10 updates (effective 10/01/22) include updated codes that provide greater specificity based on severity and behavioral symptoms present. The ICD-10-CM now classifies dementia on the...
ABCs of an Effective Skilled Nursing Note
According to the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are required to have documentation in the medical record that will allow a medical reviewer, in the case of an additional documentation request (ADR), to determine that Medicare...
Ask Proactive – We do not currently have an MDS Coordinator and it will be some time before the new one can start. Who can complete the MDS; does it have to be a nurse?
Q: We do not currently have an MDS Coordinator and it will be some time before the new one can start. Who can complete the MDS; does it have to be a nurse? A: Each facility self-determines its policies and procedures for patient documentation practices and...
Tips for Successful IDR/IIDR
The IDR process gives nursing homes one informal opportunity to dispute cited deficiencies after any survey of Federal requirements for participation. Facilities are also provided the opportunity to request and participate in an Independent IDR if CMS imposes civil...
After the Survey: Developing a Plan of Correction
A plan of correction (POC) is a plan developed by the facility and approved by CMS or the state survey agency that clearly describes the actions the facility will take to correct deficiencies cited during a survey and specifies the date by which those deficiencies...
Ask Proactive – I have a Medicare Part A resident that went home for a visit and stayed overnight. Do I need to complete MDS assessments for an interrupted stay?
Q: I have a Medicare Part A resident that went home for a visit and stayed overnight. Do I need to complete MDS assessments for an interrupted stay? A: Unless your State has a different policy, a Leave of Absence (LOA) which includes a temporary home visit of...
Cleaning and Disinfection for the Infection Preventionist
A recent study found that over 90% of high-touch surfaces in Long Term Care facilities were contaminated with potential sources of infectious disease spread. (American Journal of Infection Control) Handrails, equipment controls, and patient beds were 4 times more...
Ask Proactive – SNF Certification/Recertification
Q: We recently received the outcome of our TPE audit. The MAC denied even with our delayed certifications for the skilled stays. We thought this was an accepted process if the SNF certification / recertifications were late. How can we dispute the determination? ...