Back to Nursing Basics: Why Clinical Fundamentals in LTC Still Matter

In this LTC DON Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Lauren Stenson, MSN, RN, CNDLTC, QCP, DNS-CT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss how nurse leaders can reinforce the clinical fundamentals that form the backbone of safe, high-quality care …

Survey 101: What Every Staff Member Should Know

Empower the whole team with this quick-reference guide designed to build confidence and readiness for the survey process. Survey 101: What Every Staff Member Should Know provides all team members—from nursing to housekeeping—with a clear, high-level overview of how surveys work, how residents are selected for review, and how to …

TIP: Updated MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual Changes – New Definitions for Fall, Injury, and Major Injury

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final version of the RAI User’s Manual, version 1.20.1, which went into effect Oct. 1, 2025. CMS made several changes, including a new definition for a fall, injury (except major), and major injury, which are as follows: This AAPACN resource is …

iQIES MDS Error Message Reference Guide and Message List v1.0

This user guide addresses Minimum Data Set (MDS) error messages and troubleshooting. iQIES MDS Error Message Reference Guide v1.0 (posted 10/01/2025) iQIES MDS Error Messages v1.0 (posted 10/01/2025) From https://qtso.cms.gov/providers/nursing-home-mdsswing-bed-providers/reference-manuals

CMS QSO Memo: Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP) Updates

Memo # QSO-25-26-NH Posting Date 2025-09-29 Fiscal Year 2025 Memorandum Summary CMS is committed to reinvesting civil money penalty (CMP) funds in projects thatsupport nursing home residents and protect or improve their quality of care and life.Therefore, we are updating the Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program (CMPRP), including: • CMPRP Application – CMS …

NIOSH: PPE and Respirator Approval Program Web Updates

The NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment and Respirator Approval Program web pages have been updated and moved. These pages provide information about NIOSH Approved® respirators, including how to identify approved products, types of respiratory protection, tips for use, and information for respirator approval holders. Please update your bookmarks to Personal Protective Equipment and Respirator …

Respiratory Therapy MDS Coding Checklist

Respiratory therapy, coded at O0390D and O0400D, must meet definitions and complex instructions per the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual (RAI User’s Manual). AAPACN’s Respiratory Therapy MDS Coding Checklist tool delineates the requirements to validate that all required aspects have been met before coding the Minimum Data Set …

Question: How do you code walking if the resident only walks with therapy staff?

Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-CTA: If the resident only walked with therapy, then the assessment for usual performance is based on the resident’s usual performance with therapy. The only coding tip that restricts using the walking performance during therapy …

Question: With the new definition of fall with major injury, would a bump on the head or a laceration be a head injury? With the new definition of fall with major injury, would a bump on the head or a laceration be a head injury?

Answer from Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-CTA: Your team will need to assess each individual injury from a fall, using clinical standards of practice and clinical judgement. Your team’s assessment of the injury, its effect on the resident (e.g., neuro checks, …