In many skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the responsibility for obtaining Medicare Part A physician or nonphysician practitioner certifications/recertifications (certs/recerts) for skilled care has shifted to the nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) from medical records. “But often, the NACs or other staff members who are responsible for certs/recerts learned how to fill …
4 Good Reads to Reflect on the Lessons in LTC Assessing and caring for others can be a lot of work, but it also teaches us many important life lessons. Working in long-term care shows us how to deal with difficult behaviors, how to appreciate the small triumphs daily, and …
At the 2017 AANAC Annual Conference, we celebrated nine exceptional nurses who are leading the way in long-term care. The 2017 AANAC Awards and Scholarships winners are the following: 2017 Award Winners NAC of the Year – Aida Alvarez-Gruter, RN, RAC-CT DON of the Year – Kari Gawrych Administrator of …
I want to tell you my story. It starts when I’m seven years old. My great grandparents were still living and I visited them often. Big Mom was my mother’s grandmother, very country–she wore the dress with the long apron, and would have us bathe in the porch sink or …
Since March 8, all hospitals and critical-access hospitals are required to issue the Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) to fee-for-service Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries who receive observation services as outpatients for more than 24 hours. The MOON informs these patients that they are outpatients receiving observation services, not inpatients …
On NAC Day and during Nurses Week, we’d like to recognize a nurse who is leading the way in long-term care. Stacey Poldervaart from Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge, IA, was recently awarded the Cheryl M. Thomas Scholarship at the 2017 AANAC Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO. We hope …
If you could reduce the use of prescription medications in your facility, or even offer a combination of healing practices to residents, would you give it a shot? No pun intended. Essential oils have been used for centuries to aid in relaxation, pain relief, and even to cure sickness. And …
Recommendations to Providers Regarding Cyber Security Memo # 17-17-ALL Posting Date 2017-01-13 Fiscal Year 2017 Summary Recommendations for Providers and Suppliers for Cyber Security: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding providers and suppliers to keep current with best practices regarding mitigation of cyber security attacks. We …
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), every year one-in-four adults over the age of 65 falls. Ninety-five percent of hip fractures for that group result from falls, usually from falling sideways. In addition, falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries. The most common causes of …
