Weekly Medication Storage Inspection Tool

Correct medication storage is a component of the nurse leader’s responsibility and should be part of their rounds. The AAPACN Weekly Medication Storage Inspection tool assists the reviewer to conduct inspections for compliance, and also helps to uncover important potential improvement areas such as labeling, expiration dates, and controlled substances. …

Nurse Assessment: Acute Changes in Condition – Nursing In-service Education

Participants will learn to describe normal age-related changes, differentiate chronic versus acute conditions, recognize symptoms and changes in vital signs, physical function, and body condition that could indicate acute conditions, and apply the assessment phase of the nursing process as it relates to managing an acute change in condition. Download …

Death and Dying Education Bundle for Nurses – Nursing In-service Education

Participants will learn to recognize symptoms of imminent death and select appropriate nursing interventions that meet the physiological needs of a resident who is dying. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full or in part, please complete a permissions form. 

Combatting Failure to Thrive in Adults – Nursing Assistant In-service Education

Participants will learn to understand what failure to thrive is, recognize signs of failure to thrive, and apply knowledge to combat failure to thrive. Download now. For permission to use or reproduce this tool in full or in part, please complete a permissions form. 

Q&A: Does anyone have an ‘International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative’ policy?

Question: Does anyone have an ‘International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative’ policy? Answer: The IDDSI framework has many resources and guidance on how to implement the framework. https://iddsi.org/framework/  Consider convening a meeting with the dietitian, ST, dietary manager, and the rep from your food service company to discuss use and implementation. …

Sexual Expression/Intimacy Requires a Person-Centered Approach

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) makes clear that nursing homes should have a sexual expression/intimacy program that supports sexually intimate relationships when possible. Specifically, F607 (Develop/Implement Abuse/Neglect, etc. Policies) in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual states:   The facility must have and implement written policies and procedures to prevent …

Q&A: Are we responsible for dental appointments (toothache) on our Medicare Part A residents or does the dentist bill the family?

Question: Are we responsible for dental appointments (toothache) on our Medicare Part A residents or does the dentist bill the family? Answer: Dental coverage is not part of the Medicare Part A program, so the cost is also not the facility’s responsibility. In other words, there is no dental money …

Care Conferences: A Critical Step to Person-Centered Care

By Emily Royalty-Bachelor Care conferences: maybe you’re familiar with them. Maybe you even attend them on a regular basis. But are you confident that your care conferences are meeting their intended purposes and making good use of everyone’s time? Here are some important details you need to know about hosting your …