(812) 471-7777 [email protected]

Ask Proactive – I am a Director of Nursing Services (DNS) juggling many responsibilities. What is the best way to support and oversee the MDS department?

by | Apr 1, 2026 | 5-Star, Coding, Compliance, Documentation, MDS, Nursing, Nursing Home Consultant, Quality, Quality Measure, Regulatory, Reimbursement, Survey

Q: I am a Director of Nursing Services (DNS) juggling many responsibilities. What is the best way to support and oversee the MDS department?   A: The most effective approach to overseeing MDS is to balance support, accountability, and clinical involvement with a...

Impact of Primary Diagnosis Selection on the Quality Measures

by | Mar 18, 2026 | 5-Star, Coding, Education, ICD.10, MDS, Medicaid, Medicare, Nursing Home Consultant, Quality, Quality Measure, Reimbursement, SNF

Impact of Primary Diagnosis Selection on the Quality Measures A well‑chosen primary diagnosis and accurate coding of all active diagnoses on the MDS does more than impact reimbursement. It shapes a resident’s clinical category, which in turn determines whether the...

Ask Proactive – One of the residents at my facility was sent out to the hospital in the afternoon and returned to the facility later that evening during the 30-day look-back for my MDS. On reviewing the ED paperwork, I saw that she was diagnosed with a UTI. Because this diagnosis came from the hospital, I understand that I do not need to find support for the McGeer criteria to code this at I2300. Is that correct?

by | Mar 11, 2026 | Coding, Compliance, Documentation, MDS, Nursing Home Consultant, Quality, Quality Measure, Reimbursement

Q: One of the residents at my facility was sent out to the hospital in the afternoon and returned to the facility later that evening during the 30-day look-back for my MDS. On reviewing the ED paperwork, I saw that she was diagnosed with a UTI. Because this diagnosis...

Ask Proactive – Our IDT was actively working on a discharge plan for a resident to be discharged home on Friday, but on the previous Saturday the family came and told the nurses they were taking the resident home that afternoon. We were able to obtain a discharge order from the MD for this and set up some expedited services for care in the home setting prior to the resident’s departure that afternoon. Would this discharge be considered a planned or unplanned discharge?

by | Mar 4, 2026 | Care Planning, Coding, Compliance, Discharge, Documentation, MDS

Q: Our IDT was actively working on a discharge plan for a resident to be discharged home on Friday, but on the previous Saturday the family came and told the nurses they were taking the resident home that afternoon. We were able to obtain a discharge order from the MD...