A New Way to Validate Your NAC Knowledge

In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss a new way for NACs to test their knowledge – the NAC Competency Evaluation. Additional Resources:

SNF QRP and SNF VBP Validation Program FAQs Updated

Overview What is the SNF Validation Program? The SNF Validation Program is an audit-driven initiative aimed at evaluating the accuracy of quality measure data elements derived from the Minimum Data Set (MDS), which are used in the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) and Quality Reporting Programs (QRP) for …

iQIES Assessment Management: Assessment Submitter Manual

This document shows how to upload assessments, create and manage assessments, complete change requests, and review Final Validation Reports (FVR) in iQIES. CMS iQIES Assessment Management for Assessment Submitter v2.0 From https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals

FY 2026 SNF VBP Resources

From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing/confidential-feedback-reporting-review-and-corrections From https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/value-based-purchasing/scoring-methodology-payment-adjustment

FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Code Updates and Coding Guidelines for Oct. 1, 2025 From CMS/CDC

CDC announces new ICD-10-CM codes effective October 1, 2025. The October 1, 2025 diagnosis code update files are now available. Use these files for discharges occurring from October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026, and for patient encounters occurring from October 1, 2025 -September 30, 2026. The files in the 2026 …

Is Your Facility Ready for Respiratory Illness Season?

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 Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, discuss what to do to prepare for respiratory illness season. 

Post-Fall Intervention Planning Guide

After a resident falls, staff need to identify appropriate, resident-specific interventions that can help ensure a fall does not reoccur. AAPACN’s Post-Fall Intervention Planning Guide is designed to promote this process through an analysis of risk factors and ensure consistent implementation of evidence-based practices. This AAPACN resource is copyright protected. …

2025 AAPACN NAC Work Study and Salary Report Highlights

In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss key findings from the 2025 AAPACN NAC Work Study and Salary Report.  Additional Resources: Nurse Assessment Coordinator …