CMS Podcast Targets Nursing Homes in Multi-Part Series (8/19)

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 …

OIG Assessment of Nursing Home Deficiency Trends Finds Need for Improvement (5/19)

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 …

Responding to ADRs Tool

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 …

Resident Prioritization Tool

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.

Q&A: Our facility is non-smoking. A small number of staff have a picnic table approximately 50 yards away from the facility where they are allowed to smoke. Do we still need a smoking policy?

Q: Our facility is non-smoking.  A small number of staff have a picnic table approximately 50 yards away from the facility where they are allowed to smoke. We do not allow smoking within the facility and none of our residents smoke. That said, do we still need a “smoking policy?” …

Long-term Care Survey Process: CMS Training Videos and Slides (2/20)

This course consists of a series of videos created by CMS outlining essential topics related to changes in the LTC regulations scheduled to be implemented for Phase 2. CMS videos on guidance provide regions and states a resource that can be used for training and education with surveyors, providers, and …

Infection Control: F880 Targets Standards of Practice for Compliance

Throughout the new survey process that implements on Nov. 28, 2017, the entire survey team will observe for breaks in infection control. “Infection-control deficient practices will be observed if they are happening and identified and documented,” said officials with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) during the July …

F602 – F605: CMS Breaks Out New Guidance Re: Exploitation, Restraints

Ten F-tags will address §483.12 (Freedom From Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation) in the Code of Federal Regulations for the new survey process that rolls out Nov. 28, 2017. Some tags include both regulatory changes and updated interpretive guidance for surveyors in the advance copy of Appendix PP, “Guidance to Surveyors …

F600: CMS Puts Abuse Responsibility Squarely on Facility Staff

F600 (Free From Abuse and Neglect) is the first of 10 F-tags that will address §483.12 (Freedom From Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation) in the Code of Federal Regulations for the new survey process that rolls out Nov. 28, 2017. The revised interpretive guidance in the advance copy of Appendix PP, …

§483.70(e), At a Glance Guide to Facility Assessment Considerations

There is a lot to consider when it comes to the facility assessment, required November 28, 2017. Get ahead start with this At a Glance Guide to Facility Assessment Considerations. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full or in part, please submit a permissions form.