On May 11, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ended certain emergency waivers; put in place during the public health emergency, these waived some F-tag elements that would otherwise have applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the ending of these waivers, surveyors will resume …
The Infection Preventionist (IP) has become an integral part of the nurse leadership team in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Therefore, turnover in this important position brings many ramifications. When the IP position is vacant, it can cause quality-of-care issues, increase the workload for the director of nursing services (DNS), and …
During a QAA/QAPI meeting, the director of human resources announces the monthly staff turnover rate and shares information about a job fair she will attend. After this report, another department director takes a turn sharing data, and the meeting carries on in this manner until all departments have spoken. There …
Nurse leaders make a tremendous difference in whether certified nurse aides (CNAs) and nurses decide to stay or leave the job, especially in the first 90 days of employment. One of the key ways the director of nursing services (DNS) influences this choice is through the quality of the relationship …
On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the surveyor guidance in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual. Some are minor technical updates, while others introduce entirely new guidance. Given the enormity of the updates, along with the other challenges facility leaders …
While most skilled nursing facility (SNF) leaders are aware of QAPI and have executed a QAPI plan, many view QAPI itself as nebulous, abstract, or vague. This lack of clarity complicates QAPI execution. This, in turn, encumbers QAPI’s potential to prompt continuous improvement. In the environment of value-based care, SNFs …
Resident harm is every nurse’s nightmare. Four years ago, a nurse administered the wrong medication to a patient, which resulted in the patient’s death. RaDonda Vaught was recently criminally convicted of negligent homicide and neglect of an impaired adult. Although the defense argued that the error was a result of …
Causes and Contributing Factors of DNS Turnover The 2021 AAPACN survey found that 37% of DNS respondents changed their job in the last 12 months, and 40% intend to change their job within the next 12 months. In general, common reasons people cite for voluntarily leaving their position include: Limited …
An effective in-service program not only ensures competency and meets regulatory requirements, but also incorporates many learning styles and fosters the enjoyment of learning. Given the resources that a facility must dedicate to its in-service education program, it’s important that nurse leaders review their program regularly. Ask the following questions: …
One of a nursing student’s most exciting milestones is purchasing a stethoscope. In addition to serving as a critical tool, the stethoscope is also a symbol signifying that the nursing student has taken a leap forward in their education and is ready to learn how to assess patients. Like a …
