For more recent information about CMS survey priorities, also see QSO memo QSO-20-31-ALL-REVISED. ————————————————————– Background CMS is committed to taking critical steps to ensure America’s health care facilities and clinical laboratories are prepared to respond to the threat of the COVID-19 and other respiratory illness. Specifically, CMS is suspending non-emergency …
Main Points Opioids are probably less effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for surgical dental pain and kidney stone pain and might be similarly effective to NSAIDs for low back pain. Opioids might be and NSAIDs are probably more effective than acetaminophen for surgical dental pain, but opioids are probably …
Surveyors use critical element pathways (CEPs) to work through the steps of their investigation and to determine compliance with several federal regulations. In addition to CEPs, other tools including observational guides are also used to direct the surveyors’ review of the facility. These same tools are available for facility leaders …
Daily clinical rounds allow the nurse leader opportunities to connect with staff and residents, gain valuable information, reinforce consistency of standards, and model clinical leadership behaviors. The AAPACN Daily Clinical Rounds tool assists the nurse leader to conduct rounds for compliance along with how to look for potential improvements for …
AAPACN’s Interactive Physician Certification Tracker adjusts the certification signature due dates when the data entered indicates that a resident had an interrupted stay. This tool will help ensure your team remains in compliance with physician certifications throughout the Medicare stay. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full …
Policies and procedures are essential to the operation of your organization because they provide written structure and clarity for employees and inform all staff of the expectations for how to go about the work they do. Survey agencies review a facility’s policies and procedures as part of their investigation to …
New Episode of CMS: Beyond The Policy is Available: Episode 5: Nursing Home Strategy Part 1 – Strengthening Oversight The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) posted the 5th episode of the CMS: Beyond the Policy podcast which focuses on the first of the CMS’s 5-pronged strategy on strengthening …
Trends in Deficiencies at Nursing Homes Show That Improvements Are Needed To Ensure the Health and Safety of Residents (A-09-18-02010) In this data brief, we analyze nursing home deficiencies that were identified by State survey agencies (State agencies) across the Nation for calendar years 2013 through 2017 (review period). This …
An Additional Development Request or Additional Documentation Request letter can cause a lot of stress in the SNF if there’s not a process in place to respond to it. Use this Responding to ADRs Tool to help your team more confidently approach medical reviews. For permission to use or reproduce this …
Reducing antipsychotics requires attention to detail each step of the way. Check out this Resident Prioritization Tool, an algorithm and worksheet that guides staff in assessing residents correctly and consistently to target and prioritize reduction efforts. Effective reduction is critical to Quality Measures and survey outcomes.
