Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The March update of Appendix B to the RAI 3.0 User’s Manual contains changes to the list of State RAI Coordinators, MDS Automation Coordinators, RAI Panel members, and CMS locations and contacts. Appendix B 03242023 Changes to Appendix B_2023

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted a revised QSO-18-24-ESRD – same title as this blog – on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. There is a great deal of red ink in this Memorandum (10 pages with an 11-page survey process attachment) so be sure to review it carefully with your team…… Continue reading Revised Guidance and Survey Process for Reviewing Home Dialysis Services

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is releasing a short video tutorial to assist providers with coding GG0170C. Lying to Sitting on Side of Bed. This 5-minute video is designed to provide targeted guidance using simulated patient scenarios. To access the video, click on the…… Continue reading Updated Resource Available – GG0170C (MDS 3.0)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Five Star Preview Reports will be available on March 21, 2023. To access these reports, select the CASPER Reporting link located on the CMS QIES Systems for Providers page. Once in the CASPER Reporting system, select the ‘Folders’ button, then select ‘My Inbox’ or the…… Continue reading Five-Star Preview Reports Available

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Before the COVID-19 pandemic led to devastating consequences in nursing homes, infections were a leading cause of hospitalization and death among nursing home residents. As the nation moves forward, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases will continue to present a threat to these individuals. Nursing home residents…… Continue reading COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: Experts Identified Actions Aimed at Improving Infection Prevention and Control (GAO Report)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Long-term care physicians enrich their patients’ lives all year long. But one special day is set aside to honor their dedication to caring for the frail elderly and other residents in long-term care facilities. The National Day of Recognition for Long Term Care Physicians is set…… Continue reading National Day of Recognition for Long Term Care Physicians

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The March 16, 2023 MLN Connects reminds SNF providers to download your March quarterly feedback report for the FY 2024  from the CASPER reporting system. Review data for upcoming measure and scoring calculations, including planned and unplanned readmissions. This data isn’t eligible for the review and correction…… Continue reading Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program – Download Your March Feedback Report

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Historically, nursing homes have experienced challenges preparing for and responding to emergencies. To address these challenges, HHS has taken steps to bolster nursing home emergency preparedness and response through regulations such as CMS’s Conditions of Participation (CoPs). However, prior OIG reviews and continued challenges during recent…… Continue reading March 2023 Addition to OIG Work Plan: State Survey Agency Processes for Overseeing Nursing Home Preparedness

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Long-Term Care (LTC) Preparedness Toolkit was updated on Feb. 24 and is now available on the Minnesota Department of Health’s Long-Term Care (LTC) Emergency Preparedness which is also the state’s LTC Emergency Preparedness web page. This toolkit can help LTC facilities and agencies prepare for the…… Continue reading Minnesota: LTC Emergency Preparedness Toolkit Updated

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare If you read my blog last week introducing this valuable resource, I’m happy to report that it’s now “open for business”.   I encourage you, your team and colleagues to check it out. This resource will definitely benefit nursing facilities! Bookmark this landing page to access information…… Continue reading Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) is Now Available!