F609 Abuse/Crime Reporting Obligations: Keys to Success

Nursing homes face significant risk and liability under F-tag 609 (Reporting of Alleged Violations), says Janet Feldkamp, RN, BSN, LNHA, CHC, JD, a partner in the Benesch Healthcare + Practice Group at Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff in Columbus, OH. “This risk is more than just regulatory. There may be …

Guide to Primary iQIES Reports for the Director of Nursing Services

A systematic approach to utilizing the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES), (formerly CASPER), reports is necessary for QAPI, survey readiness, and reimbursement. While there are numerous reports available via iQIES, this tool highlights the primary reports of interest to the director of nursing services (DNS) and will serve …

How SNFs Can Address CMS’s New Enhanced Enforcements for Infection Control Deficiencies

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 Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, discuss the new enhanced enforcements for infection control deficiencies released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services …

Special Focus Facilities – Part 2

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 Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, discuss the latest updates to The Special Focus Facility Program in part two of the Special Focus Facilities …

ABN (Form CMS-R-131) for Part B SNF Services

The ABN, Form CMS-R-131, and form instructions have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal. The use of the renewed form with the expiration date of 01/31/2026 will be mandatory on 6/30/23. You may continue to use the ABN form with the expiration date of 6/30/23 until the …

NETEC Long-Term Care Special Pathogens Infection Prevention and Control Workbook Available

The National Emerging Special Pathogen Training and Education Center (NETEC) has released a workbook for “assessing operational elements for special pathogen preparedness, response, and recovery unique to the long-term care setting.” The workbook is designed to help nurse leaders address the following issues, according to a letter from NETEC: Request …

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 …

Special Focus Facilities – Part 1

In this first episode of a two-part series on Special Focus Facilities, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, talk about the basics of The Special Focus Facility …

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 …

F695 Respiratory Care and Survey Citations

Listen to this podcast for a discussion on survey citation F695, Respiratory/Tracheostomy Care and Suctioning – what it is, why it is important, and how skilled nursing facilities can avoid it. Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, offers listeners …