2025 Quality Conference Recording Bundle
15-Session Bundle – Members: $399 | Non-members: $798
Individual Track Bundle – Members: $149 | Non-members: $298
Continuing Education: 15.0 CE hours for all 15 sessions, or 5.0 CEs per track
Duration: 15 sessions, between 55 and 60 minutes each
Education Sessions Featuring MDS and Quality Experts
Experience the education from the AAPACN 2025 Quality Virtual Conference in a recorded bundle packaged for on-demand learning. Purchase the full three-day bundle, packed with all 12 education sessions and three panel discussions featuring MDS and quality subject-matter experts. Or select an individual track – novice, intermediate, or expert – featuring four education sessions and one panel discussion from that individual day. All session recordings are a compilation of voice over PowerPoint and audio recordings from the live virtual event, plus any Q&A that followed – all accessible in your AAPACN Learner Dashboard for up to one year.
The individual tracks are tailored to a different level of expertise, designed to build knowledge from the ground up:
- Novice – Learn key foundational aspects of MDS coding that impact nursing home quality measures (QMs) and regulatory guidelines.
- Intermediate – Expand your knowledge with in-depth strategies to improve quality outcomes and Five-Star Quality Ratings.
- Expert – Master advanced concepts and gain insights to lead your facility toward excellence.
Session Descriptions
In addition to three panel discussions, the 12 education sessions included are as follows:
*Novice* Off to the Races: Winning the Scripted Interview with the IDT | Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, AAPACN
During this session, the speaker will walk you through the racecourse: understanding the scripted interview sections, using cue cards to clear communication hurdles, applying proven techniques from Appendix D of the RAI User’s Manual, and knowing when to change course. You will explore how accurate interviews are not just about compliance—they directly and indirectly impact resident outcomes and Quality Measures. Missing the mark can affect the resident’s quality of life, individualized care planning, and the facility’s Five-Star Quality Rating. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the scripted interview sections in the MDS and explain their purpose
- Describe the criteria and timing for completing resident interviews versus staff assessments
- Explain proper use of cue cards and interview techniques recommended in Appendix D
- Summarize the impact of accurate interviews on MDS 3.0 Quality Measures
*Novice* Out of the Gate: Managing Weight Loss Before It Derails Your Quality Measures |
Denise Winzeler, RN, BSN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, both with AAPACN
Join the speakers as they explore best practices for assessing and managing weight loss, including how to identify contributing factors, engage the IDT in responsive interventions, and ensure weight changes are properly documented and care planned. The speakers will also provide practical guidance on accurately coding weight loss on the MDS, addressing common misconceptions about the calculation process. By reviewing real-world scenarios, you will gain the knowledge needed to enhance care quality, improve MDS accuracy, and reduce avoidable weight-related declines in residents. Additionally, the speakers will address the adverse effects of significant unplanned weight loss on both resident quality of care and the facility’s publicly reported Quality Measures. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Summarize interdisciplinary strategies to assess, manage, and care plan for residents experiencing significant unplanned weight loss
- Reiterate accurate coding practices for the MDS by understanding the look-back periods and calculations for 5% and 10% weight loss thresholds
- Explain the methodology of the MDS 3.0 Quality Measure: Percent of Residents Who Lose Too Much Weight, including its impact on public reporting and quality outcomes
- Recognize the broader implications of significant weight loss on resident health, quality of life, facility survey outcomes, and quality measure performance
*Novice* Staying on Track: Managing Section N, Medications | Jessie McGill, BSN, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, and Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, both with AAPACN
During this engaging session, the speakers will draw parallels between the high-stakes world of horse racing and the critical responsibilities tied to accurate medication classification and documentation for coding section N of the Minimum Data Set (MDS). You will explore real-world case scenarios, best practices for identifying and coding medications, and how to manage high-risk drug categories such as psychotropics, antibiotics, insulins, anticoagulants, and opioids. The speakers will also discuss how lapses in documentation or misclassification of medications can lead to adverse outcomes and survey deficiencies. Learn how to sharpen your MDS skills, improve resident outcomes, and stay ahead of the pack! Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the key components and coding requirements of section N (Medications) of the MDS, including documentation of psychotropic, antibiotic, and opioid use
- Understand the impact of accurate and timely medication reporting on resident outcomes, regulatory compliance, and survey readiness
- Apply best practices for tracking, documenting, and reviewing medications to avoid common pitfalls and improve interdisciplinary coordination in long-term care settings
*Novice* iQIES: What Every User Needs to Know | Becky Dow, RN, RAC-MT, CPC, CHC, Maine Veterans’ Homes
The Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) began phased implementation in 2021, and the Minimum Data Set (MDS) submission and reporting functionality was added in April 2023. iQIES has provided several benefits including better accessibility to reports, a more intuitive user experience, and streamlined workflows. Even with these improvements, new users can find it challenging to navigate the iQIES site and to access the reports they need to guide quality improvement in their organization. This session will provide insight into key reports and the data that they provide. You will come away with a plan for engaging co-workers in quality improvement activities across the home, and be introduced to resources for troubleshooting your iQIES experience and resources for new iQIES users. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Describe how to gain access to iQIES and site navigation
- Explain how to utilize the Quality Measure reports for internal quality improvement and survey readiness
- Identify where to obtain the Five Star report and how to utilize it for self-analysis and staff engagement
- Recall key reports to proactively monitor progress in the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP)
- Locate three sources for iQIES education and reference
*Intermediate* Why Section GG has Become the Most Important | Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IPCO, QCP, ICC, Pathway Health, AAPACN board member
Many years ago, section GG first appeared on the MDS, in conjunction with section G, even before the implementation of PDPM. Fast forward to today and G is gone; GG is here to stay and has tentacles that are far reaching. How far? Section GG impacts PDPM reimbursement, Medicaid Case-Mix reimbursement, Five-Star, SNF QRP, TPE audits/ADRs, iQIES QMs, care planning, insurance coverage and payment, and SNF VBP starting FY 2027. Join this informative session for a GG health check. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Describe the QMs that utilize section GG data
- State best practices in section GG documentation
- List the section GG items that are utilized in HIPPS calculations
*Intermediate* Outpacing Skin Integrity Risk: Strategic Approaches to MDS Accuracy and Wound Care Compliance | Jessie McGill, BSN, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, and Lauren Stenson, MSN, RN, CNDLTC, QCP, DNS-CT, both with AAPACN
When it comes to pressure ulcer prevention and management, nursing homes can’t afford to fall behind. In this fast-paced session, you will learn how to identify residents at risk for pressure ulcers right out of the gate, accurately code pressure ulcers and treatments on the MDS, and avoid common missteps that lead to costly survey citations. The speakers will walk you through clinical and regulatory hurdles regarding pressure ulcers—from identifying early warning signs to ensuring treatment plans cross the finish line. With the right strategy, the team can lead the field in skin integrity care and compliance. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Identify residents at risk for pressure ulcers and accurately capture this risk in section M of the MDS
- Recognize common survey risks tied to lack of preventative care, incorrect pressure ulcer staging, and misidentified wound etiology
- Understand how surveyors evaluate whether treatment plans are followed and how documentation missteps can lead to citations
*Intermediate* From Assessment to Action: Avoiding Costly MDS and Care Planning Deficiencies | Robin Hillier, LNHA, RAC-CTA, RAC-MT, RLH Consulting, AAPACN board member
Accurate assessments and individualized care plans are more than just regulatory requirements – they’re the foundation of quality care. This session will explore how breakdowns in the MDS process and care planning contribute to some of the most frequently cited F-tags nationwide. Learn how to identify common pitfalls, connect assessment findings to care plans, and implement real-time interdisciplinary strategies to stay survey-ready and resident-centered. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the top MDS and care plan-related deficiencies cited during survey
- Describe how inaccuracies or gaps in the RAI process lead to noncompliance
- Explain strategies to ensure interdisciplinary collaboration between assessment and care planning
- Describe how to align care plans with resident needs, preferences, and regulatory expectations
*Intermediate* SNF Audit Ready: Navigating Reviews, ADRs, and Appeals | Michelle Synakowski, RN, LNHA, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, ProSynk Healthcare Compliance Services
During this session, the speaker will walk you through the SNF-focused medical review process, including Medicare program integrity efforts, types of audits and contractors, and how to manage Additional Documentation Requests (ADRs) and the five levels of appeal. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration, this session emphasizes the critical role of therapy in supporting medical necessity and defensible documentation. Learn how to proactively engage therapy teams in preparing for medical reviews and reducing denial risk. The speaker will also share practical strategies for strengthening internal systems, avoiding repeated documentation errors, and integrating QAPI activities to enhance compliance and audit readiness. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Explain the medical review and the appeals processes
- Identify best practices for responding to a medical review request to retain revenue
- Recognize the role of therapy documentation in demonstrating skilled need and how to involve therapy in audit response efforts
*Expert* Change in the Stars: How the Health Inspection Calculation Changes Will Impact Facilities | Tammy Cassidy, RN, BSN, LNHA, RAC-MT, Ohio Health Care Association
On June 18, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Quality, Safety, and Oversight memo, QSO-25-20-NH. One of the most notable changes in the memo revised the calculation of the Health Inspection star rating as of July 2025. This change in the survey cycles and the weighting of the surveys may have significant impact on both the Five-Star Health Inspection score as well as the Five-Star Overall star rating. During this session, the speaker will discuss the elements of the new Health Inspection rating system in detail, as well as the possible impact of previous surveys and quality of care trends. You will review case studies and explore proactive ways to ensure the facility’s star rating accurately reflects the quality of care provided to residents. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Explain the new scoring methodology of the Health Inspections star rating
- Discuss ways that the Five-Star Health Inspections changes will affect their community
- Summarize proactive strategies to reduce the risk of Health Inspections star decline
*Expert* How does the Discharge Function Score Function? | Joel VanEaton, BSN, RN, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, Broad River Rehab, AAPACN Education Foundation board member
The Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP) required Discharge Function Score measure is the section GG replacement measure for the section G-based short-stay Improvement in Function measure. Since January 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been calculating the new discharge function score on iQIES reports. The new measure affected Five-Star ratings in January 2025 and is set to affect the Value-Based Purchasing incentive multiplier in October 2026. During this session, the speaker will help you understand how this quality measure is calculated, how it will impact each SNF quality program, and how to use the results for quality improvement. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Identify the differences between the GG-based discharge function score and the G-based improvement in function score
- Reiterate the technical specifications of the discharge function score measure
- Recognize the expected discharge function score
- Explain how this measure impacts SNF quality measurement programs
- Summarize how to apply measure results to facility-level quality improvement efforts
*Expert* Antipsychotic Measures, Appendix PP, and the Schizophrenia Audit: Tying Them Together | Carol Maher, RN, GERO-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC, Hansen Hunter, LLC
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been focusing its efforts on accurate MDS coding and reporting of Schizophrenia and related mental health diagnoses through Schizophrenia audits as well as updating the long-stay Antipsychotic Drug Use Quality Measure on Nursing Home Care Compare. In this session, the speaker will focus on the Short-Stay and updated Long-Stay Antipsychotic Quality Measures and will tie these together with the updates in the State Operations Manual, Appendix PP regarding MDS accuracy, especially with the coding of mental health diagnoses. The requirements that must be met prior to coding MDS item I6100. Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder or Schizophreniform Disorder will be covered along with the supporting documentation that must be present in the medical record prior to coding mental health diagnoses. The expectations of the auditors during a Schizophrenia audit and the penalties for failing the audit will also be reviewed. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Explain how a look-back scan is used to determine whether there has been a new antipsychotic medication used during a short-stay
- Cite the exclusions to the long-stay Antipsychotic Drug Use Quality Measure
- Identify the changes to the long-stay Antipsychotic Drug Use Quality Measure effective October 2025
- List three criteria that must be met before Schizophrenia can be coded on the MDS
- Identify the changes to expect to the nursing home’s Five-Star rating if the facility fails a Schizophrenia audit
*Expert* Mastering Medicare Compliance: Expert Strategies for Coverage Support | Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS, RAC-MT, QCP-MT, DNS-MT, RAC-MTA, Celtic Consulting AAPACN board member
Ensuring compliance with Medicare requirements is essential for securing coverage and delivering high-quality resident care. In this session, the speaker will provide advanced strategies for SNF professionals to align care planning and daily practices with Medicare standards. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of eligibility requirements, documentation timelines, and interdisciplinary team responsibilities. Explore best practices for optimizing daily workflows to support data gathering and task assignments while also emphasizing the importance of accountability and compliance in maintaining Medicare coverage. In addition, learn effective methods for communicating resident goals, facilitating successful discharge planning, and leveraging data to monitor trends. The session will conclude with a discussion on utilizing a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) approach to identify and address underperforming areas, ensuring continuous improvement in care delivery. Following this session, you’ll be able to:
- Describe Medicare requirements for coverage
- Identify advanced strategies to align with daily Medicare standards
- Discuss possible QAPI topics related to Medicare compliance
The 2025 Quality Conference Recording Bundle provides the opportunity to earn up to 15.0 ANCC continuing education hours (CEs) for viewing all 15 recorded sessions.
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