QAPI: How NACs Can Boost the Value They Bring to the Process

The nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) brings a unique understanding of facility operations and resident needs that can reap critical benefits for the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program, says Lauren Stenson, MSN, RN, CNDLTC, QCP, DNS-CT, an AAPACN curriculum development specialist. “You keep track of the documentation that is …

Ways NACs Can Advance Their Quality Measures Knowledge

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss ways nurse assessment coordinators can advance their Quality Measures knowledge. Additional Resources:Quality Measure IQ Series: Pressure Ulcer Measures – ArticleQuality …

Quality Measure IQ Series: Pressure Ulcer Measures

Quality Measure (QM) reporting on pressure ulcers is a significant metric used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to help ensure that nursing homes provide high-quality care to vulnerable residents. Those residents with impaired mobility, chronic health issues, and complex comorbidities have a higher risk of developing …

MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Assessment Selection Methods 

The MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Assessment Selection Methods tool simplifies the assessment selection logic used for MDS 3.0 Quality Measures (QMs) in nursing facilities. The assessment selection logic is used to identify which assessments are used in the measure calculation. For detailed measure specifications, refer to the corresponding tables in …

NHSN LTCF MDRO & CDI Module Resources

Multidrug-Resistant Organism & Clostridioides difficile (MDRO/CDI) Infection Event Reporting Module Using Laboratory-identified Event Methodology Data Collection Forms & Instructions All Data Collection Forms are Print-only MDRO/CDI Events Denominator Forms Monthly Reporting Plan Annual Facility Survey See more at https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/ltc/cdiff-mrsa/index.html

Quality Measure IQ Series: Antipsychotic Medication Measures

Monitoring and reducing the use of antipsychotic medications is a high priority for many nursing facilities. Top concerns are the increased risk of adverse effects for residents taking these medications, the scrutiny of their management by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and the impact of their use …

January 2025 Five-Star Unfreeze: What to Expect   

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss what to expect this January when Five-Star unfreezes several quality measures.

NHSN Healthcare Personnel (HCP) Flu Vaccination Module for SNF QRP Reporting

The HCP Flu Vaccination Module, which is part of the HCP component in NHSN, is used to input required NHSN data for the SNF QRP. This site provides access to the HCP Vaccination Module: Influenza Vaccination Summary Protocol, which is the primary manual for the module. In addition, it provides …

MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V17.0 and Risk Adjustment Appendix

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Quality Measures (QM) User’s Manual Version (V)17.0 is now available. The MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V17.0 contains detailed specifications for the MDS 3.0 QMs and includes a Notable Changes section that summarizes the major changes from MDS 3.0 QM User’s Manual V16.0. Changes …

Q&A: A resident came to our facility for a short stay with a Stage 4 pressure ulcer. The resident has since exhausted his 100 days of Medicare, became a long-term resident, and still has the Stage 4 pressure ulcer. Will this resident trigger the long-stay pressure ulcer measure?

Question: A resident came to our facility for a short stay with a Stage 4 pressure ulcer. The resident has since exhausted his 100 days of Medicare, became a long-term resident, and still has the Stage 4 pressure ulcer. Will this resident trigger the long-stay pressure ulcer measure? Answer from Jessie …