4 Key Purposes of the Care Area Assessment Process

The care area assessments (CAAs) are a vital part of the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) process to develop a plan for individualized resident care. Taking shortcuts with the CAA process can result in generic care plans that fail to recognize the unique needs, choices, and preferences of each resident. Understanding …

Focus on Care Planning and How to Simplify the Process

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss strategies for simplifying the care plan process. Additional Resource:

Interrupted Stays: Five Takeaways To Remember

The interrupted-stay policy in the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) of the Medicare Part A Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS) governs when multiple SNF stays are combined into a single interrupted stay (i.e., one continued stay that includes one or more interruption windows) vs. when they are treated …

iQIES Essentials for the Nurse Assessment Coordinator

In the ever-evolving realm of healthcare data management, the transition of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) submission process to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) in April 2023 marked a significant milestone for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Replacing the outdated Quality Improvement and Evaluation System Assessment and Submission …

MDS 3.0 Final Validation Reports Quick Facts and Resources

Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) are responsible for the coordination and completion of the MDS assessments; however, to ensure these assessments are accepted without error into the National Submissions Database, the Final Validation Report must also be reviewed. The AAPACN tool MDS 3.0 Final Validation Reports Quicks Facts and Resources will …

Deep Tissue Injury: Section M Assessment and Coding Tips

Pressure-related deep tissue injury (DTI) coded in M0300G (Unstageable Pressure Injuries Related to Deep Tissue Injury) does not play a role in Medicare payment under the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM). While DTI is an unstageable pressure ulcer/injury, only ulcers that are unstageable due to slough and/or eschar (MDS item M0300F1) …

Skilled Nursing Care & Skilled Therapy Services to Maintain Function or Prevent or Slow Decline: CMS Reminder

Medicare covers skilled nursing care and skilled therapy services under skilled nursing facility, home health, and outpatient therapy benefits when a beneficiary needs skilled care to maintain function or to prevent or slow decline, as long as: Visit the Jimmo Settlement Agreement webpage for more information.

iQIES Resources Site Updated

iQIES is the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System, which is the system that the MDS submissions system is being transferred to. The QIES Technical Support Office maintains a website with iQIES reference materials, including an onboarding guide and other training materials. Most recent updates: Jan 22, 2024 Nov 22, …

Getting Care Area Assessments Back on Track

In this podcast, 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, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss the common challenges nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) face with care area assessments (CAAs) and how they can get back on track.

Respiratory Outbreak! How to Protect the MDS and Capture Key Assessment Data

With the influenza season in full swing plus the ongoing peaks and valleys of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) outbreaks across the United States, nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) should take steps both to protect the MDS process and to capture relevant clinical events on MDS assessments when a respiratory …