Q&A: Did this resident achieve a 60-day break in skilled services when a nurse assisted with tube feedings at the assisted living facility?

Question: A resident previously exhausted his 100 days of Medicare for a new feeding tube. He was discharged to an assisted living facility (ALF) for more than 60 days where an licensed practical nurse (LPN) assisted with the 100% tube feedings. Did this resident achieve a 60-day break in skilled …

Q&A: The RAI User’s Manual guidance for mechanically altered diet mentions “soft solids.” Would that include solids that are naturally soft or solids that we would “soften”?

Question: The RAI User’s Manual guidance for mechanically altered diet mentions “soft solids.” Would that include solids that are naturally soft or solids that we would “soften”? Answer from Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC: The diet needs to be mechanically altered to facilitate eating/swallowing in order to code …

MDS Changes Oct. 2025 – What We Know Right Now

In this LTC NAC Chat podcast episode, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the MDS changes coming this fall and what we know right now. Additional Resource:

Coding High-Risk Drug Classes: How to Improve N0415 Accuracy

N0415 (High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication) is much more than just paperwork. This MDS item  impacts resident care through the care area triggers (CATs) and the care area assessments (CAAs), as well as facility performance across the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP), the Skilled Nursing Facility …

Out the Door, On a Leave, or Gone for Good? Uncomplicating Discharges

In the fast-paced position of a nurse assessment coordinator (NAC), keeping track of all the residents’ whereabouts can be challenging. The NAC must know who is coming into the facility and if this resident is a new admission or a readmission, as well as who has left—whether on a leave …

How Eventide Is Investing in Nurses, Building Resilience, and Supporting Leadership

At Eventide Senior Living, people come first. From residents to staff, the organization understands that delivering high-quality care starts with a confident, well-supported team. That’s why Eventide has taken a thoughtful and proactive approach to training and development. One that empowers nurses, strengthens operations, and opens doors to career advancement. …

TIP: New Non-Pressure Chronic Ulcer Codes Effective Oct. 1, 2025

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released the updated codes for fiscal year (FY) 2026. These updates include the addition of the following locations to the category L98.4, non-pressure chronic ulcer of skin, not elsewhere classifiable: Additionally, a new category L98.A, will be added to include non-pressure …

CMS Nursing Home Data Sets Updated

Provider Information General information on currently active nursing homes, including number of certified beds, quality measure scores, staffing and other information used in the Five-Star Rating System. Data are presented as one row per nursing home. Last Modified: June 1, 2025 • Released: June 25, 2025 Overview •Data Table •API •Download CSV …

From the CATs to the QMs: Key Impacts of MDS Section N

MDS section N (Medications)—in particular item N0415 (High-Risk Drug Classes: Use and Indication)— plays a key role in a nursing home’s ability to provide comprehensive, resident-centered care via the care area triggers (CATs) and the care area assessments (CAAs) in the care planning process. N0415 also may affect a facility’s …

Q&A: If the resident was in the emergency department (ED) and then admitted to the hospital before readmitting to the nursing home, can I capture IV fluids at the ED visit?  

Question: If the resident was in the emergency department (ED) and then admitted to the hospital before readmitting to the nursing home, can I capture IV fluids at the ED visit?   Answer from Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MTA, RAC-CTA: IV fluids from pre-admission are captured under K0520A2, while not …