The latest news, events, blogs and more…
5-Star Staffing Rating Simplified
Multiple studies show evidence of a strong correlation between nursing home staffing levels and quality of care.[i] Federal law requires sufficient staffing levels to safely meet the care needs of residents. As facilities deal with significant staffing challenges...
Ask Proactive – I understand that CMS will be conducting audits of schizophrenia coding in the MDS data and potentially adjusting the long-stay residents who are receiving antipsychotic drugs QM ratings when inaccurate coding is found. What are the criteria for diagnosing Schizophrenia?
Q: I understand that CMS will be conducting audits of schizophrenia coding in the MDS data and potentially adjusting the long-stay residents who are receiving antipsychotic drugs QM ratings when inaccurate coding is found. What are the criteria for diagnosing...
Ask Proactive – How can the facility comply with administering nebulizer treatment without needing to stay with the resident during administration for a resident who will keep nebulizer on?
Q: How can the facility comply with administering nebulizer treatment without needing to stay with the resident during administration for a resident who will keep nebulizer on? A: In order to support that the resident is able to self-administer a nebulizer...
Mission Possible – SNF Department Head Briefing
John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Are your facility’s leaders, whether new or seasoned, receiving ongoing training to best perform their duties and lead their team? A recent study on why healthcare workers quit their...
Mentoring Your DON for 5-Star Success
The 5-Star Quality Rating System was created by CMS in 2008. Today, almost 15 years later, we still see confusion and a lack of understanding of the 5-Star domains, how they are calculated, and how the DON can best lead the facility in improving the 5-Star rating....
Ask Proactive – Our facility is being purchased by a new company. Does this affect the current patient’s MDS assessments and schedules? If so, how?
Q: Our facility is being purchased by a new company. Does this affect the current patient’s MDS assessments and schedules? If so, how? A: If the CCN (CMS Certification Number) changes, then yes. Per RAI Chapter 2, pg. 2-5: There are two types of change in...
Critical Risks for 2023 Audits
The New Year calls for new beginnings and fresh starts! With increasingly sophisticated data analytics, regulatory enforcement of required Compliance and Ethics Programs (CEP) effective October 2022, and President Biden’s nursing home reform, providers must focus...
Ask Proactive – How will the Facility Assessment be used during the survey process?
Q: How will the Facility Assessment be used during the survey process? A: During your annual survey, you will be required to provide the survey team a copy of your completed Facility Assessment within four hours of them entering your facility. If systemic care...
Overcoming the Administrator Doldrums
If your day started with a 2am phone call about a busted pipe or resident-to-resident altercation, you might be an administrator. If you enjoy daily visits to your office doorway from octogenarians with stories to tell (and sometimes lost laundry), you might be an...
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...