The “Golden Hour” of Admission

For both residents and their loved ones, admission into a post-acute care facility can be an overwhelming experience. In addition to the condition that brought residents to the facility, the transition itself involves changing environment, acclimating to new routines, and entrusting one’s care to a team of unfamiliar people. Amid …

NHSN Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Flu Vaccination Module for SNF QRP Reporting

The HCP Flu Vaccination Module, which is part of the HCP component in NHSN, is used to input required NHSN data for the SNF QRP. This site provides access to the HCP Vaccination Module: Influenza Vaccination Summary Protocol, which is the primary manual for the module. In addition, it provides …

MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V17.0 and Risk Adjustment Appendix

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual Version (V)17.0 is now available. The MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V17.0 contains detailed specifications for the MDS 3.0 QMs and includes a Notable Changes section that summarizes the major changes from MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V16.0. Changes …

NOMNC and DENC: New Forms Must Be Used Starting Jan. 1, 2025; Different Start Date for DENC Only for Medicare Advantage

FFS & MA NOMNC/DENC What’s New 11/18/2024: New NOMNC and DENC for Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage  The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved a revised Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC / CMS-10123) and Detailed Explanation of Non-Coverage (DENC / CMS-10124). Please note the updated NOMNC and DENC …

CMS Nursing Home Staffing Campaign Website

Improving Care Through Increased Staffing Nursing home staffing has a significant impact on the quality of care that residents receive. Feedback from both nursing home staff and residents consistently highlights staffing as their primary concern. In response, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is launching a national Nursing …

How to Advance Your Career as a Director of Nursing Services (DNS) – Part One: Novice Level

The career path of a director of nursing services (DNS) is both challenging and rewarding. Long-term care nurses who choose to take on the DNS role can have success with the right resources. Part one of this blog series will focus on tips for the new DNS and how to …

From QM to QAPI: How to Get in Shape – Feb. 13, 2025

Members: $24 |  Non-members: $48Continuing Education: 1.25 CE hoursRecording Date: Feb. 13, 2025Duration: 75 minutesSpeakers: Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC- MT, RAC-MTA and Denise Winzeler, RN, BSN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT Are your Quality Measures (QMs) still struggling to fit into your facility’s quality of care clothes? Are they out of shape, flabby, or reflect …

SNF ABN, NOMNC, DENC – What Has Changed for This Alphabet Soup of Notices? – Jan. 30, 2025

Members: $24 |  Non-members: $48Continuing Education: 1.25 CE hoursRecording Date: Jan. 30, 2025Duration: 75 minutesSpeaker: Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC The alphabet soup of the Medicare beneficiary notices initiative (BNI) recently got a new recipe, and understanding these changes is critical for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). With recent updates impacting the SNF …

Why Getting MDS Right Is Non-Negotiable: The Importance of MDS Accuracy

Written by Kristine Martinez BSN, RN, RAC-CTA, QCP Completing a Minimum Data Set (MDS) correctly is no small task. With approximately 510 answers or choices on a comprehensive MDS (not including CAA investigation), and approximately530 answers or choices on a 5-day MDS, the potential for missed or miscoded information on any …