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Billing Alert for Long-Term Care CNA Training Advisor: Lesson Plans for Busy Staff Trainers PPS Alert for Long-Term Care

Looking for a tool to make your job easier? PPS Alert for Long-Term Care, exclusively for the RN or MDS coordinator, is your survival guide for complying with PPS.
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Issue 12, December 1, 2012 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.