Back to the Basics: Preparing for MDS Submission to the Federal Repository

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the basics of preparing for MDS submission as well as CMS’s upcoming transition to the Internet …

SNF QRP: SNF Discharge Function Score Technical Report

This report presents the Discharge Function Score measure specifications. Section 2 provides an overview of the measure and a high-level summary of the key features of the measure that are described in detail in the remaining sections of the document. Section 3 describes the methodology used to construct the Discharge …

Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) Website: Resources and Technical Assistance

Find resources and technical assistance at https://nursinghomebehavioralhealth.org/ Current resources include: Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities – Frequently Asked Questions DOWNLOAD SAMHSA informational pamphlet about bipolar disorder’s definition, signs/symptoms, types and treatment DOWNLOAD SAMHSA informational pamphlet about schizophrenia’s definition, signs/symptoms and treatment DOWNLOAD APA resource guide provides …

CMS Section GG Training Videos: GG0130A, GG0110, GG0170C, GG0130B, Decision Tree for GG0130/GG0170

Video Tutorials Available to Assist with Coding Specific Section GG Items The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is releasing a series of short videos to assist providers with coding select Section GG items on the OASIS, IRF-PAI, LTCH CARE Data Set, and the MDS. These videos, ranging from 4-12 …

What Role Should the NAC Sign Up for in iQIES?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that MDS assessment submissions and reporting will transition to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) on April 17, 2023. To prepare for this transition, skilled nursing facilities must register for an account in the HCQIS Access Roles and …

Prepare for a Conversation with Leadership Using SBAR

Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) work in a unique role. They have the responsibility of managing the MDS but are often not in supervisory position over the interdisciplinary team members that complete portions of the MDS. When issues arise, from untimely completion of MDS sections to missed documentation that could impact …

New MDS Items Series: Transfer of Health Information

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, continue the New MDS Items Series on the upcoming changes to the MDS with version 1.18.11, effective Oct. 1, 2023. …

Tell Your LTC Story: What Brought You to Long-Term Care (LTC) and Why Do You Love It?

AAPACN asked members to share their long-term care (LTC) story – what brought them to LTC and why they love it. Below is a collection of stories from AAPACN members who are passionate about their careers and wanted to spread their love for caring for the elderly and everything in-between …

Schizophrenia Care Planning Checklist by Federal Source

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced they would be conducting audits on MDS coding of residents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. With the increased scrutiny of this diagnosis, nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) and interdisciplinary team (IDT) members should validate the accuracy of the schizophrenia diagnosis and …

New MDS Item Podcast Series: Social Determinants of Health

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, continue the podcast series on the upcoming changes to the MDS. This podcast focuses on the MDS changes that will …