Think about individualization like the almost endless variations of coffee drinks available these days. With an extra pump of this or a drizzle of that, we enjoy endless ways to individualize our order. Beyond coffee, we all have our own routines and ways to complete different tasks, from what we …
Nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) will soon begin preparing the interdisciplinary team for the finalized MDS 3.0 version 1.19.1 item set changes, as well as the revised coding instructions in the yet-to-be-finalized Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User’s Manual v1.19.1 (RAI User’s Manual), that will go into effect on …
Skilled nursing facility (SNF) staff must understand the intricate guidelines that regulate Medicare Part A coverage for SNF stays. Several technical requirements must be met before a resident qualifies for a Medicare Part A SNF stay. For example, the resident must have benefit days available, meet the 3-day qualifying hospital …
The 30-day transfer rule and its medical appropriateness exception typically don’t come up on a daily basis in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), yet these requirements—and flexibilities—are a key component of the fee-for-service Medicare Part A rules for SNF coverage in chapter 8, “Coverage of Extended-Care (SNF) Services Under Hospital Insurance,” …
Using technologies to engage residents with dementia is becoming increasingly common in nursing homes across the country. Local news shows are peppered with segments on facilities using dancing robots, robotic cats, and other technologies that are designed to improve the quality of life for these residents. However, providers must proceed …
F-tag 689 (Free of Accident Hazards/Supervision/Devices) was the top immediate jeopardy (IJ) citation nationwide—and the second most-frequent citation overall—in calendar year (CY) 2023, and that citation pattern is being maintained so far in CY 2024, according to QCOR data accessed May 7, 2024. Falls are a frequent driver of F689 …
Stroke is a common issue among residents in long-term care facilities. When caring for this population, staff often focus on physical issues, yet post-stroke residents often have emotional or behavioral changes as well. It is important for staff to understand how a stroke can affect residents’ psychosocial well-being. By recognizing …
Many new nurse assessment coordinators (NACs)—and even some experienced ones—don’t understand what counts as a late MDS assessment, what counts as a missed MDS assessment, or what the financial ramifications are for late vs. missed assessments in the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (SNF PPS), says Robin Hillier, CPA, …
Someone with an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 130 may be considered above average for intelligence but still not understand the complexities of the MDS 3.0 Quality Measures (QMs). This series of articles on QMs will improve the QM IQs of healthcare professionals in long-term care, starting here with two long-stay …
The Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) includes four ways for a resident to classify into the Clinically Complex category of the Nursing payment component. If a resident has conditions or is receiving services that qualify for Extensive Services, Special Care High, or Special Care Low, but does not have a PDPM …
