Long-Term Care Survey Alert
Risk Management:
Prevent an Outbreak of F-441 Citations: Bolster Your Infection Control Program Now
Are you taking these 4 steps to stave off infections -- and survey scrutiny? ... Read more
Prevent an Outbreak of F-441 Citations: Bolster Your Infection Control Program Now
Are you taking these 4 steps to stave off infections -- and survey scrutiny? ... Read more
Compliance:
OIG Scrutinizes Hospice-SNF Relationships In The New Year
Plus: Medicare may prorate hospitals' payment for patients transferred to hospice. ... Read more
OIG Scrutinizes Hospice-SNF Relationships In The New Year
Plus: Medicare may prorate hospitals' payment for patients transferred to hospice. ... Read more
Did You Know?:
Bone Up on Pets and Infection Control
A study published this year in the American Journal of Infection Control notes t... Read more
Bone Up on Pets and Infection Control
A study published this year in the American Journal of Infection Control notes t... Read more
Quality of Care:
Shore Up Your ADL Care Practices With 4 Key Tactics
Are you missing important signals that residents need added assistance? You... Read more
Shore Up Your ADL Care Practices With 4 Key Tactics
Are you missing important signals that residents need added assistance? You... Read more
Tool:
Arm Yourself With These Infection Surveillance Essentials
Test your facility's defenses with this checklist from the CDC. Can you affirm your ... Read more
Arm Yourself With These Infection Surveillance Essentials
Test your facility's defenses with this checklist from the CDC. Can you affirm your ... Read more
Compliance:
Avoid Citations for F314 Pressure Sores With This Guideline Review
Make sure you are following the SOM requirements at §483.25(c). The Medica... Read more
Avoid Citations for F314 Pressure Sores With This Guideline Review
Make sure you are following the SOM requirements at §483.25(c). The Medica... Read more
Clinical Round Up:
Here's Another Reason Why Smoking Is A Health Hazard
Smoking is not simply injurious to health -- it can impair your memory, the res... Read more
Here's Another Reason Why Smoking Is A Health Hazard
Smoking is not simply injurious to health -- it can impair your memory, the res... Read more
Staffing Strategies:
Supervise Your Supervisor In 4 Simple Steps
"Managing upwards" is not manipulation -- it's cultivating a productive relationshi... Read more
Supervise Your Supervisor In 4 Simple Steps
"Managing upwards" is not manipulation -- it's cultivating a productive relationshi... Read more
What Do You Think?
The following Q&A was provided courtesy of Marilyn Mines, RN, BSN, RAC-CT, B... Read more
The following Q&A was provided courtesy of Marilyn Mines, RN, BSN, RAC-CT, B... Read more
Risk Management:
Defensive Documentation: Improve Care -- And Survey Outcomes -- With Stellar Medical Records
Keep these 3 sources of information front and center.If your facility has had one citation... Read more
Defensive Documentation: Improve Care -- And Survey Outcomes -- With Stellar Medical Records
Keep these 3 sources of information front and center.If your facility has had one citation... Read more
MDS Strategies:
Cover These Psychosocial Assessment Bases
Experts advise incorporating these parameters.Francis Battisti, PhD, LCSW, observes that 3... Read more
Cover These Psychosocial Assessment Bases
Experts advise incorporating these parameters.Francis Battisti, PhD, LCSW, observes that 3... Read more
Medicare:
DOJ Dragnet Pulls in $492 Million in Medicare Fraud Bust
Know what this type of arrest could do to your income.No practitioner is safe from governm... Read more
DOJ Dragnet Pulls in $492 Million in Medicare Fraud Bust
Know what this type of arrest could do to your income.No practitioner is safe from governm... Read more
ICD-10:
Don't Wait Too Late to Start Your ICD-10 Prep
Cover your bases with expert advice. With the official date for ICD-10 implementation form... Read more
Don't Wait Too Late to Start Your ICD-10 Prep
Cover your bases with expert advice. With the official date for ICD-10 implementation form... Read more
Industry News:
CMS Plans to Move Medicare SNF payments from Volume to Value-based
In June, CMS sent a report to Congress detailing its plans to implement a Value-Based Purc... Read more
CMS Plans to Move Medicare SNF payments from Volume to Value-based
In June, CMS sent a report to Congress detailing its plans to implement a Value-Based Purc... Read more
Risk Management Tool:
10 Rules for Defensive Documentation
Have a purpose to your entry.Be descriptive.Be concise and precise.Don't leave the next re... Read more
10 Rules for Defensive Documentation
Have a purpose to your entry.Be descriptive.Be concise and precise.Don't leave the next re... Read more
Risk Management:
Field-Tested Defense Strategies Can Minimize Your Litigation and Liability Exposure
Key: Document when residents don't comply with care plans. Time and again, nursing facilit... Read more
Field-Tested Defense Strategies Can Minimize Your Litigation and Liability Exposure
Key: Document when residents don't comply with care plans. Time and again, nursing facilit... Read more
MDS Compliance:
When Does CMS Consider Bed Rails To Be Restraints?
Check out the SOM definition before coding the MDS.Even though the use of bed rails may im... Read more
When Does CMS Consider Bed Rails To Be Restraints?
Check out the SOM definition before coding the MDS.Even though the use of bed rails may im... Read more
Risk Management:
Put Your Best Foot Forward in Falls Cases
Follow these tips to ward off potential liability following a resident fall.More than half... Read more
Put Your Best Foot Forward in Falls Cases
Follow these tips to ward off potential liability following a resident fall.More than half... Read more
Surveyor's Definition of Physical Restraints:
Surveyor's Definition of Physical Restraints:
"Any manual method or physical or mechanical device, material or equipment attached or adj... Read more
Surveyor's Definition of Physical Restraints:
"Any manual method or physical or mechanical device, material or equipment attached or adj... Read more
Medicare Part B Therapy:
Nail Down Therapy Cap Details With This Q&A
Resolve your queries about therapy evals, appeals and more.More information leads to more ... Read more
Nail Down Therapy Cap Details With This Q&A
Resolve your queries about therapy evals, appeals and more.More information leads to more ... Read more
Audit:
Get the Lowdown on 4 Common Audit Types From This MAC
Chinese restaurant menu didn't cut it as documentation for one hospital.Does it sometimes ... Read more
Get the Lowdown on 4 Common Audit Types From This MAC
Chinese restaurant menu didn't cut it as documentation for one hospital.Does it sometimes ... Read more
Privacy:
OCR Enforces Huge Fine for Privacy Breach
MEEI to pay HHS $1.5 million to settle potential HIPAA violations.The U.S. Department of H... Read more
OCR Enforces Huge Fine for Privacy Breach
MEEI to pay HHS $1.5 million to settle potential HIPAA violations.The U.S. Department of H... Read more
Quality of Care:
Apply This 4 Step Approach to Reduce Falls Risk, Upgrade Resident Care
Implement the updated Clinical Practice Guideline for Falls for improved results.Resident ... Read more
Apply This 4 Step Approach to Reduce Falls Risk, Upgrade Resident Care
Implement the updated Clinical Practice Guideline for Falls for improved results.Resident ... Read more
Compliance:
Are You Harboring Exclusions List Violators? 5 Questions You Need to Ask
You could face big repayments due to rogue employees.You could have to cough up upwards of... Read more
Are You Harboring Exclusions List Violators? 5 Questions You Need to Ask
You could face big repayments due to rogue employees.You could have to cough up upwards of... Read more
Staff Education:
Get Your Staff Up to Speed on Falls CPG With This Plan
Follow these four steps to success.Just like the Clinical Practice Guideline for Falls in ... Read more
Get Your Staff Up to Speed on Falls CPG With This Plan
Follow these four steps to success.Just like the Clinical Practice Guideline for Falls in ... Read more
Medicare Part B Therapy:
Jump on the Advanced Approval Bus if You're Pushing $3,700
Get advanced approval, or wait up to 60 days to get high-dollar claims reviewed.CMS has fi... Read more
Jump on the Advanced Approval Bus if You're Pushing $3,700
Get advanced approval, or wait up to 60 days to get high-dollar claims reviewed.CMS has fi... Read more
Resident Privacy:
Safeguard Your Facility From Medical ID Theft
Watch for insider breaches and human error, advise experts.Providers of healthcare --... Read more
Safeguard Your Facility From Medical ID Theft
Watch for insider breaches and human error, advise experts.Providers of healthcare --... Read more
Staffing Strategies:
Assess Your Assignments Using These 6 Categories Of Employees
Are your workers in the right positions for their personalities, goals, and skill sets? Ha... Read more
Assess Your Assignments Using These 6 Categories Of Employees
Are your workers in the right positions for their personalities, goals, and skill sets? Ha... Read more
Industry Notes:
ICD-10 Implementation Date Finalized For Fall 2014
One-year delay to new diagnosis coding set gives providers some breathing room.The pressur... Read more
ICD-10 Implementation Date Finalized For Fall 2014
One-year delay to new diagnosis coding set gives providers some breathing room.The pressur... Read more
Quality Improvement:
A Physician Extender Visit A Day Can Keep Hospitalizations Away
Use of PAs/NPs in nursing facilities reduces ED visits and hospital readmissions. Nursi... Read more
A Physician Extender Visit A Day Can Keep Hospitalizations Away
Use of PAs/NPs in nursing facilities reduces ED visits and hospital readmissions. Nursi... Read more
Compliance:
Ready? Set? Evacuate!
Review this check-list to make sure your facility's emergency preparedness plan is up to ... Read more
Ready? Set? Evacuate!
Review this check-list to make sure your facility's emergency preparedness plan is up to ... Read more
Resources:
A Public Health Emergency Has Been Declared in My Area; Now What?
CMS answers your most pressing emergency survey and certification questions. You've weath... Read more
A Public Health Emergency Has Been Declared in My Area; Now What?
CMS answers your most pressing emergency survey and certification questions. You've weath... Read more
CMS News to Use:
No Rest for the Weary: Check Out These Latest CMS Developments
Make sure you keep on top of these important actions. Nursing home compare website CMS h... Read more
No Rest for the Weary: Check Out These Latest CMS Developments
Make sure you keep on top of these important actions. Nursing home compare website CMS h... Read more
Quality Improvement:
Cut Down on Unnecessary ED Visits and Hospitalizations
Implement these proven strategies in your facility.Your facility can dramatically improve ... Read more
Cut Down on Unnecessary ED Visits and Hospitalizations
Implement these proven strategies in your facility.Your facility can dramatically improve ... Read more
Staffing Improvement:
Increase Your Quality of Care By Reducing Staff Turnover/Vacancies
Pay isn't the only thing that matters.High turnover and unfilled staff vacancy rates creat... Read more
Increase Your Quality of Care By Reducing Staff Turnover/Vacancies
Pay isn't the only thing that matters.High turnover and unfilled staff vacancy rates creat... Read more
Resources:
Tools You Can Use to Reduce Your Acute Care Transfers
Get what your staff needs from INTERACT-II to improve your facility.... Read more
Tools You Can Use to Reduce Your Acute Care Transfers
Get what your staff needs from INTERACT-II to improve your facility.... Read more
Clinical Compliance:
Be Prepared for Increased CMS Scrutiny of Antipsychotic Drugs
Follow these suggestions to cut down on unnecessary use.Get ready for CMS to be very close... Read more
Be Prepared for Increased CMS Scrutiny of Antipsychotic Drugs
Follow these suggestions to cut down on unnecessary use.Get ready for CMS to be very close... Read more
Tool:
Know the 'Adverse Consequences of Antipsychotics' Listed in the CAA Resource
The "Review of Indicators of Psychotropic Drug Use" in the RAI manual's Care Area Assessme... Read more
Know the 'Adverse Consequences of Antipsychotics' Listed in the CAA Resource
The "Review of Indicators of Psychotropic Drug Use" in the RAI manual's Care Area Assessme... Read more
What Do You Think?:
Follow This Expert's Advice on SNF Part B Therapy Billing
The following Q&As were provided courtesy of Rick Gawenda, PT, principal of Gawenda Co... Read more
Follow This Expert's Advice on SNF Part B Therapy Billing
The following Q&As were provided courtesy of Rick Gawenda, PT, principal of Gawenda Co... Read more
Compliance:
Avoid the Hurt of a Painful Survey: Here's the Scoop on Effectively Managing Your Residents' Pain
Follow these tips to avoid noncompliance citations at F309 and F329.Your residents' pain l... Read more
Avoid the Hurt of a Painful Survey: Here's the Scoop on Effectively Managing Your Residents' Pain
Follow these tips to avoid noncompliance citations at F309 and F329.Your residents' pain l... Read more
CMS Resources:
Got MDS or Claims Questions? Who Ya Gonna Call?
Start with your State RAI Coordinator or FI/MAC Contractor.Providers who are still confuse... Read more
Got MDS or Claims Questions? Who Ya Gonna Call?
Start with your State RAI Coordinator or FI/MAC Contractor.Providers who are still confuse... Read more
Medicare News to Use:
Haven't Had Enough Yet? The Times They Are A-Changing!
Check out the latest CMS changes coming your way.Be on the look-out for possible changes t... Read more
Haven't Had Enough Yet? The Times They Are A-Changing!
Check out the latest CMS changes coming your way.Be on the look-out for possible changes t... Read more
Documentation:
Use These 5 Guidelines for Audit-Proof Record Corrections
Documentation clarifications can be a big help --if you use them wisely. With the plethor... Read more
Use These 5 Guidelines for Audit-Proof Record Corrections
Documentation clarifications can be a big help --if you use them wisely. With the plethor... Read more
Human Resources:
Why Your Motivation Methods Aren't Working
There's no one size fits all. One of your employees doesn't seem as content with her job ... Read more
Why Your Motivation Methods Aren't Working
There's no one size fits all. One of your employees doesn't seem as content with her job ... Read more
Medical Review:
Avoid Late Entry Red Flags
When does a clarification hurt instead of help? Don't let the fear that your medical reco... Read more
Avoid Late Entry Red Flags
When does a clarification hurt instead of help? Don't let the fear that your medical reco... Read more
Compliance:
Your Staff Will Be Less Likely to Whistle If You Follow These Tips
A robust reporting mechanism is your best defense against a whistleblower suit. Being the... Read more
Your Staff Will Be Less Likely to Whistle If You Follow These Tips
A robust reporting mechanism is your best defense against a whistleblower suit. Being the... Read more
Resource:
Follow OIG Compliance Plan Guidance Step By Step
Missing an element could set you up for a costly lawsuit, or worse. Don't get caught in t... Read more
Follow OIG Compliance Plan Guidance Step By Step
Missing an element could set you up for a costly lawsuit, or worse. Don't get caught in t... Read more
Human Resources:
Combat Your Coworkers' Chronic Negativity
Negative people can be downers, but you can help them channel their energy more positivel... Read more
Combat Your Coworkers' Chronic Negativity
Negative people can be downers, but you can help them channel their energy more positivel... Read more
Human Resources:
How To Create an Exceptional Team
Follow these 5 steps to make your team more cohesive and more productive. Before you beca... Read more
How To Create an Exceptional Team
Follow these 5 steps to make your team more cohesive and more productive. Before you beca... Read more
What Do You Think?
The following Q&As were provided courtesy of Rick Gawenda, PT, principal of Gawenda C... Read more
The following Q&As were provided courtesy of Rick Gawenda, PT, principal of Gawenda C... Read more
Industry News
CMS extends 5010 compliance period. Providers that were sweating the April 1 deadline for... Read more
CMS extends 5010 compliance period. Providers that were sweating the April 1 deadline for... Read more
Survey Management:
Nail Down the Latest on This Elder Justice Act Mandate
Is your facility up to speed? Heads up: Surveyors are now "screening to see that a facili... Read more
Nail Down the Latest on This Elder Justice Act Mandate
Is your facility up to speed? Heads up: Surveyors are now "screening to see that a facili... Read more
Survey Management:
Sidestep This Survey Disaster
These strategies can help save the survey day. "You still see lots of appeals that are es... Read more
Sidestep This Survey Disaster
These strategies can help save the survey day. "You still see lots of appeals that are es... Read more
Risk Management:
Get the Scoop on Grapefruit Juice and Meds
A PharmD explains what you need to know. In a presentation at the March 2011 American Med... Read more
Get the Scoop on Grapefruit Juice and Meds
A PharmD explains what you need to know. In a presentation at the March 2011 American Med... Read more
Tool:
Check Out These Q&As From CMS' Jan. 20 Survey Memo
CMS' recently modified survey memo, "Reporting Reasonable Suspicion of a Crime in a Long-... Read more
Check Out These Q&As From CMS' Jan. 20 Survey Memo
CMS' recently modified survey memo, "Reporting Reasonable Suspicion of a Crime in a Long-... Read more
Clinical & ICD-10 News to Use
Nursing facilities "should have proper height of beds and seats," said Karen Russell, RN,... Read more
Nursing facilities "should have proper height of beds and seats," said Karen Russell, RN,... Read more
Care Planning:
Get Up to Speed On This Medication Safety Threat
A PharmD gives you the inside scoop. Thomas Lynch, PharmD, BCPS, warned in a presentation... Read more
Get Up to Speed On This Medication Safety Threat
A PharmD gives you the inside scoop. Thomas Lynch, PharmD, BCPS, warned in a presentation... Read more
Quality Assurance:
This MDS-Related Tactic Can Preempt Persistent Pressure Ulcers
A nurse expert suggests facilities validate this. In a presentation at the recent annual ... Read more
This MDS-Related Tactic Can Preempt Persistent Pressure Ulcers
A nurse expert suggests facilities validate this. In a presentation at the recent annual ... Read more
Resident Assessment:
Keep Resident Sexual Abuse on the Radar Screen
These symptoms require evaluation, says forensic nurse specialist. Sexual abuse in nursin... Read more
Keep Resident Sexual Abuse on the Radar Screen
These symptoms require evaluation, says forensic nurse specialist. Sexual abuse in nursin... Read more
Resource:
Check Out the AMDA Presentation Handouts on CYP450 Drug-Drug Interactions
Source: Thomas Lynch, PharmD, BCPS, from his presentation at the March 2011 American Medi... Read more
Check Out the AMDA Presentation Handouts on CYP450 Drug-Drug Interactions
Source: Thomas Lynch, PharmD, BCPS, from his presentation at the March 2011 American Medi... Read more
Coding Quizzer:
Try Your Hand at Coding These 2 RAI Manual Scenarios at J1100: Shortness of Breath (dyspnea)
How would you code the following examples at J1100? 1. "Mrs. W. has diagnoses of chronic ... Read more
Try Your Hand at Coding These 2 RAI Manual Scenarios at J1100: Shortness of Breath (dyspnea)
How would you code the following examples at J1100? 1. "Mrs. W. has diagnoses of chronic ... Read more
Risk Management & Drug Safety News
Nurse attorney Kathy Hurst tells Eli that she's working with some facilities to help them... Read more
Nurse attorney Kathy Hurst tells Eli that she's working with some facilities to help them... Read more
Skin Care:
Stave Off Decubiti With 3 Smart Moves
Beware this type of incontinence pad, advises nurse expert. In a lively presentation at t... Read more
Stave Off Decubiti With 3 Smart Moves
Beware this type of incontinence pad, advises nurse expert. In a lively presentation at t... Read more
Risk Management:
Sidestep This Care Shortfall in Nursing Facilities
Don't be fooled by these 2 lab tests. Researchers continue to home in on a deficiency tha... Read more
Sidestep This Care Shortfall in Nursing Facilities
Don't be fooled by these 2 lab tests. Researchers continue to home in on a deficiency tha... Read more
Case Study:
These Efforts Can Help Protect Residents From Kidney Damage
LTC medical director explains adverse drug event detection system. The Veterans Affairs P... Read more
These Efforts Can Help Protect Residents From Kidney Damage
LTC medical director explains adverse drug event detection system. The Veterans Affairs P... Read more
MDS 3.0:
Know the RAI Manual Definitions for Stage 1 Pressure Ulcers
The RAI User's Manual includes the following definitions: "STAGE 1 PRESSURE ULCER: An obs... Read more
Know the RAI Manual Definitions for Stage 1 Pressure Ulcers
The RAI User's Manual includes the following definitions: "STAGE 1 PRESSURE ULCER: An obs... Read more
Coding Quizzer:
How Would You Code These 2 RAI Manual Examples at H0300 (Urinary Incontinence)?
Scenario No. 1: "A resident with multi-infarct dementia is incontinent of urine on three ... Read more
How Would You Code These 2 RAI Manual Examples at H0300 (Urinary Incontinence)?
Scenario No. 1: "A resident with multi-infarct dementia is incontinent of urine on three ... Read more
Clinical & ICD-9 Coding News to Use
The CDC recently published new hepatitis B vaccination guidance that could affect your re... Read more
The CDC recently published new hepatitis B vaccination guidance that could affect your re... Read more
What Do You Think?
Question: Will Part B sometimes pay for rehab therapy for a patient on hospice? Answer: "... Read more
Question: Will Part B sometimes pay for rehab therapy for a patient on hospice? Answer: "... Read more
Resident Assessment:
Shore Up Supervision & Safety Practices for Residents Who Smoke
The BIMS isn't an accurate cognitive assessment for this purpose, expert warns. "The rea... Read more
Shore Up Supervision & Safety Practices for Residents Who Smoke
The BIMS isn't an accurate cognitive assessment for this purpose, expert warns. "The rea... Read more
Survey Management:
Head off Survey Woes at the Get-Go
Avoid these mistakes with your QA. These three tactics can help your facility fend off F ... Read more
Head off Survey Woes at the Get-Go
Avoid these mistakes with your QA. These three tactics can help your facility fend off F ... Read more
Resident Safety:
Heed These Smoking-Related Immediate Jeopardy Cases
Beware these potential problems. Nurse attorney Janet Feldkamp reports having handled fou... Read more
Heed These Smoking-Related Immediate Jeopardy Cases
Beware these potential problems. Nurse attorney Janet Feldkamp reports having handled fou... Read more
Research:
Don't Let MDROs Catch Your Facility Off Guard
Review these CDC guidelines, advises LTC infection control expert. Are you on top of rece... Read more
Don't Let MDROs Catch Your Facility Off Guard
Review these CDC guidelines, advises LTC infection control expert. Are you on top of rece... Read more
What Do You Think?
Question: Has the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention hand hygiene guideline cha... Read more
Question: Has the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention hand hygiene guideline cha... Read more
Resource:
Use This Tool to Keep Tabs on Your Cleaning Efforts
Source: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Printed by w... Read more
Use This Tool to Keep Tabs on Your Cleaning Efforts
Source: Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Printed by w... Read more
Compliance, Clinical & Survey News to Use
The Medicaid RACs will soon make their debut. "Absent an exception, States will be requir... Read more
The Medicaid RACs will soon make their debut. "Absent an exception, States will be requir... Read more