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Issue 12, December 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Quality assessment and ­survey preparedness are key to improving your five-star rating

  The CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System was introduced in December 2008 and created in an effort...

• Few surprises as the OIG Work Plan emphasizes quality and documentation

  Learn more about the OIG report, which includes specific expectations for nursing homes that...

• Train staff members on best practices for resident ­interviews

  Performing effective resident interviews is essential for staff. Learn how you can help improve...

• MDS professor

  Test your knowledge of the MDS and long-term care by answering the following questions. Answers are...

• PPS Q&A

  We discusses change of condition roles and responsibilities, and effective communication...

Issue 11, November 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Manual medical reviews on therapy thresholds require more diligence from SNFs

  After reading this article, you will be able to:

• Building a rapport with residents and families improves quality and communication

  Building strong relationships with residents and their families is a vital component in the quality...

• Using the appropriate criteria to determine a significant change in status

  Learn the appropriate ways to determine if a resident requires a significant change assessment.

• HIT roadmap highlights five priorities for LTCs

  The 2012-2014 Roadmap for HIT in LTPAC pinpoints on five key priorities for providers to focus on...

Issue 10, October 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• PPS payment update ­provides a slight increase, but few changes

  In July, CMS officially released an update notice ­regarding the SNF PPS for fiscal year 2013...

• ICD-10 postponed until 2014, giving facilities another year to prepare

  On August 24, HHS issued the final ruling, confirming a one-year extension of the ICD-10 compliance...

• CMS' Nursing Home Action Plan focuses on quality and patient care

  Learn more about CMS’ 2012 Nursing Home Action Plan, which supports the three part directive...

• MDS professor

  Test your knowledge of the MDS and long-term care by answering the following questions:

• PPS Q&A

  Diane Brown discusses significant change criteria, coding for IV fluids, and requirements for EOT...

Issue 9, September 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Supreme Court ­decision means SNFs need a ­proactive approach

  The Supreme Court has upheld the ACA--See how it will impact your facility.

• Quality measures are back and they start with accurate MDS coding

  LTC providers are generating 16 new long-term and short-term stay QMs resulting from the required...

• Building a compliance and ethics program that passes the test

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• MDS professor

  Test your knowledge of the MDS and long-term care by answering the following questions.

• PPS Q&A

  What makes a service skilled?

Issue 8, August 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Section Q: How to effectively utilize your Local Contact Agency

  A number of new changes to MDS 3.0 Section Q went into effect on April 1, including specific...

• Filling the gaps in emergency planning for nursing facilities

  Understand the impact of your facility’s emergency and disaster plan—or lack...

• If you didn't chart it, you didn't do it

  Find out if your facility is accurately documenting the care provided to residents—and what...

• MDS professor

  Test your knowledge of the MDS and long-term care by answering the following questions.

• PPS Q&A

  We discuss the top citation nursing homes currently face.

Issue 7, July 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• The inactivation issue: Triple-check your assessments to ensure accuracy

  Among other issues surrounding SNF PPS payment and assessment completion policies, a recent...

• Improve communication and education to avoid hospital readmissions

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• CMS initiative aims to reduce antipsychotic medication in SNFs

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• MDS Professor

  Test your knowledge of the MDS and long-term care by reading the excerpt below and answering the...

• PPS Q&A

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Issue 6, June 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Collaborate for care: ­Integrating hospice within the SNF

  Learn how to work with hospice providers to provide the best palliative care possible for your...

• Physician certifications and recertifications: Myth or fact?

  Elizabeth Malzahn separates falsities from truth when it comes to the regulations concerning...

• Creating person-centered care planning

  This excerpt from the HCPro book, MDS 3.0 Care Plans Made Easy, by Debbie Ohl, RN, M.Msc., PhD...

• MDS professor

  Think you’re an MDS expert? Test your knowledge of this long-term care assessment tool with...

• MDS professor answer key

  Find out the answers to the MDS professor.

• PPS Q&A

  We answer a common question about the MDS coordinator’s responsibilities in the SNF.

Issue 5, May 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Limiting CAUTIs through appropriate catheter use

  Learn how to reduce CAUTI prevalence in your SNF.

• ACOs: Can they help your facility thrive?

  Understand the financial and other risks associated with accountable care organizations, how your...

• MDS professor

  Test your knowledge of the MDS and long-term care by reading the excerpt and answering the...

• PPS Q&A

  We answer a common question about SNF administrators’ involvement with the MDS 3.0.

Issue 4, April 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Revitalize your restorative nursing program

  Though it may not get as much attention as rehab due to the substantial differences in...

• Communication and collaboration: IDT best practices

  Quality resident care is directly linked to the abilities and efficiency of the interdisciplinary...

• MedPAC recommends ­significant payment cuts

  In January, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission voted for significant changes to the way SNFs...

• MDS professor

  Test your knowledge of the MDS and long-term care by answering the following questions.

• PPS Q&A

    We answer a common question about using skills checklists in a competency assessment...

Issue 3, March 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Making sense of the latest RAI changes

  In January, CMS released the RAI User’s Manual changes that will take effect April 1. While...

• At the forefront of transitional care culture change: Meadowlark Hills' Therapy Suite

  Meadowlark Hills’ new therapy suite is reinventing rehabilitative care and occupational...

• Are you 5010 compliant yet?

  Learn who your facility needs to be talking to and what must be done to be in compliance with the...

• ICD-10-CM/PCS myths and facts

  CMS reviews common misconceptions about the new coding system to help your facility understand its...

Issue 2, February 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Assessment amendments: Steps for MDS modifications and inactivations

  Learn when MDS modifications and inactivations are needed and how to properly make record...

• COT basics to best

  Joel VanEaton lists the basic rules pertaining to COT use and completion, and explains the...

• Quantifying care for quality improvement: The Planetree designation program

  Culture change is all about attaining and maintaining resident-centered care. Read about the...

• MDS professor

  Think you’re an MDS expert? Test your knowledge of this long-term care assessment tool with...

• PPS Q&A

  We answer a common question about competency assessment program documentation.

Issue 1, January 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE

• Wound care work: Your ­clinical staff's ­responsibilities

  Focus the role of wound care nurses and the interdiciplinary approach of your frontline staff based...

• PPS Alert advisory board members share insights

  Members of the PPS Alert advisory board offer their thoughts on the expected changes, challenges...

• CMS issues COT and EOT provider clarifications

  After fielding multiple questions about the COT and EOT OMRAs during the November 2011 SNF National...

• MDS professor

  Think you’re an MDS expert? Test your knowledge of this long-term care assessment tool with...

• PPS Q&A

  We answer a common question about holding productive staff meetings.