Using non-pharmacological approaches, not psychotropic medications (i.e., antipsychotic, antidepressant, anti-anxiety, and hypnotic dugs), as the first line of treatment for behavior management is not a new concept for nursing homes, says Amy Lee, RN, BSN, MSN, CRRN, QCP, president and CEO of Coretactics Healthcare Consulting in Rexford, NY. “However, the …
The expedited determination process (called “fast-track appeals” in regulation) for appeals of service terminations by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans is very similar to—but not exactly the same as—the expedited determination process for service terminations under fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare Parts A and B, notes Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS, RAC-MT, QCP-MT, DNS-MT, …
“MDS coding accuracy is important” is not a revolutionary new concept for any nurse assessment coordinator (NAC), says Carol Maher, RN-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, RAC-CT, CPC, director of education for Hansen, Hunter & Co. PC in Vancouver, WA. “However, the revised surveyor guidance in the draft Appendix PP of the …
A quick review of the draft revised surveyor guidance in Quality, Safety, and Oversight (QSO) memo QSO-25-14-NH that goes into effect on April 28, 2025, may initially concern the director of nursing services (DNS) and other nurse leaders, says Linda Winston, RN, MSN, BS, QCP-MT, DNS-MT, RAC-CT, a nurse consultant …
Hearing a staff member say, “State just walked in the door,” shouldn’t ignite survey panic mode in the director of nursing services (DNS) and other department leaders in the nursing home, says Michelle Synakowski, RN, LNHA, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, president and CEO of ProSynk Healthcare Compliance Services. Survey does …
The ongoing staffing shortage amid growing economic turbulence and payment pressures means that every nursing home in the country is currently struggling with reimbursement, says Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IPCO, QCP, ICC, director of reimbursement and education for Pathway Health in Lake Elmo, MN. “With the cost of …
Some nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) may believe that having a care conference (aka care plan meeting) with the resident and/or their responsible party or family member is a regulatory requirement. “However, no regulations actually use the term care conference,” says Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IPCO, QCP, ICC, director …
The director of nursing services (DNS) and the facility administrator (or other executive leadership) share the overarching goal of providing nursing home residents with the best possible quality of care and quality of life, says Demetrius Kirk, DNPc, MBA, MSN, RN, LNHA, LSSGB, PAC-NE, QCP, a senior consultant with SMK …
Nursing homes that achieve successful operational, clinical, and regulatory outcomes tend to share at least one common characteristic, says Stacy Grondel, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, CMAC, QCP, vice president of clinical reimbursement at Brickyard Healthcare in Indianapolis, IN. “The director of nursing services (DNS) and the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) usually …
Nurses play a key role in the early identification and treatment of sepsis, assessing the resident and reporting to the physician or nonphysician practitioner (NPP), as well as potentially managing residents with sepsis in-house in some cases. Nurse leaders can take the following steps to help nursing staff effectively assess …
