Navigating Nursing Home Trends into the New Fiscal Year

Blog by:  Shelly Maffia, RN, MSN, MBA, LNHA, QCP, CHC, CLNC, CPC, Director of Regulatory Services, Proactive LTC Consulting

As a new fiscal year begins, it’s the perfect time to dive into survey trends we’ve witnessed across the nation in the past year. These these trends can serve as a guide to preparations for upcoming surveys. For those eagerly awaiting the survey team’s arrival, these insights will help you steer the ship through the ever-shifting regulatory currents.

Notable trends in survey activity based on survey records in CASPER, as of 10/08/2023 for Fiscal Year 2023 (10/01/22-09/30/23) include…

Click here to continue reading this blog.

 

About Proactive Medical Review
HTS partners with Proactive Medical Review, a third party company who specializes in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and promoting measurable care excellence. The team includes SNF experienced nurse, MDS, Health Facility Administrator, therapist and reimbursement specialists with experience serving in multi-site contract therapy operations, as corporate directors of quality, clinical program specialists, and Compliance Officers. Proactive is uniquely positioned to assist in managing the many changes and challenges facing providers partnered with HTS. Learn more about our commitment to compliance here.

/0 Comments
,

SNF Provider Preview Reports – Now Available

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports have been updated and are now available. These reports contain provider performance scores for quality measures, which will be published on Care Compare and Provider Data Catalog (PDC) during the January 2024 refresh.

The data contained within the Preview Reports are based on quality assessment data submitted by SNFs from Quarter 2, 2022 through Quarter 1, 2023. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measures reflect data from Quarter 4, 2022 through Quarter 1, 2023 for the Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel measure, and Quarter 1, 2023 for the COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel (HCP) measure. The data for the claims-based measures will display data from Quarter 4, 2020 through Quarter 3, 2022 for this refresh, and for the SNF Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) measure, from Quarter 4, 2021 through Quarter 3, 2022. Providers have until November 13, 2023, to review performance data.

To locate your SNF Provider Preview Reports in iQIES, please follow the instructions listed below:

  1. Log into iQIES at https://iqies.cms.gov/ using your Health Care Quality Information Systems (HCQIS) Access Roles and Profile (HARP) user ID and password. (If you do not have a HARP account, you may register for a HARP ID.)
  2. From the Reports menu, select My Reports.
  3. From the My Reports page, locate your MDS 3.0 Provider Preview Reports folder. Select the MDS 3.0 Provider Preview Reports link to open the folder.
  4. Displayed for you is a list of reports available for download.
  5. Select desired SNF Provider Preview report name link and the report will display.

NOTE: SNF Provider Preview report links are titled “SNF Provider Preview Report”. For questions related to accessing your facility’s provider preview report, reach out to the iQIES Service Center by email iqies@cms.hhs.gov or call 1-800-339-9313. For questions about SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Public Reporting, email SNFQRPPRQuestions@cms.hhs.gov.

/0 Comments
,

SNF Certification / Recertification Compliance Check-Up

Blog by: Stacy Baker, OTR/L, CHC, RN, RAC-CT, Director of Audit Services, Proactive Medical Review

MACs have begun rolling out the mandated 5-Claim Probe and Educate audit and will eventually review claims for every eligible SNF in their jurisdiction. SNF certifications and recertifications are important elements of SNF Medicare stay compliance and will be considered as part of this review. In this blog, we’ll delve into the essential aspects of the SNF certification / recertification process, and share guidance and insights for assessing your process and ensuring compliance.

Click here to continue reading this blog.

 

About Proactive Medical Review
HTS partners with Proactive Medical Review, a third party company who specializes in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and promoting measurable care excellence. The team includes SNF experienced nurse, MDS, Health Facility Administrator, therapist and reimbursement specialists with experience serving in multi-site contract therapy operations, as corporate directors of quality, clinical program specialists, and Compliance Officers. Proactive is uniquely positioned to assist in managing the many changes and challenges facing providers partnered with HTS. Learn more about our commitment to compliance here.

/0 Comments

Exercising Away Arthritis Pain in Cold Weather

As the temperature drops and days grow shorter, individuals with arthritis often face the daunting challenge of managing symptoms in cold weather. The cold can exacerbate joint stiffness and pain, making it tempting to stay indoors and reduce physical activity. However, exercise remains a powerful tool for arthritis management, even in chilly conditions.

Why staying active during winter months is beneficial for managing arthritis pain:

Don’t let the cold weather deter you from managing your arthritis pain through exercise. Regular, ongoing physical activity can lead to long-term improvements in joint function and reduced pain.

How Therapy Can Help

Physical and Occupational therapy play essential roles in helping people ease arthritis symptoms and engage in the activities they love. They can provide personalized exercise recommendations and strategies that are safe and appropriate for an individual’s specific type

and severity of arthritis. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of both physical and occupational therapy for your arthritis needs!

/0 Comments
, , ,

Now Available: Final MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual Version 1.18.11

The final Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User’s Manual version (v)1.18.11 is now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page. The MDS 3.0 RAI User’s Manual v1.18.11 will be effective beginning October 01, 2023.

This version of the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual contains substantial revisions related to the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act), which requires that standardized assessment items be collected across post-acute care (PAC) settings. Standardized data will enable cross-setting data collection, outcome comparison, exchangeability of data, and comparison of quality within and across PAC settings. Additionally, the language of the manual has been updated throughout to be gender neutral. Guidance and examples in numerous chapters and appendices have been revised for clarification and to reflect current regulations and best practices. Due to the scope of the revisions, CMS will not issue Replacement Pages for v1.18.11; those wishing to continue using a physical copy of the manual are encouraged to print the new version.

A document listing all changes from the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.18.11 draft version to the final version is available for reference in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual page.

/0 Comments
,

Proposed Minimum Staffing Standards for LTC Facilities… What You Need to Know

Blog by: Janine Lehman, RN, RAC-CT, CLNC, Director of Legal Nurse Consulting, Proactive LTC Consulting

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the long-awaited Proposed Minimum Staffing Rule on 9/1/23 with the stated objective of seeking “to establish comprehensive nurse staffing requirements to hold nursing homes accountable for providing safe and high-quality care for the over 1.2 million residents receiving care in Medicare and Medicaid certified facilities each day”.

Here’s what you need to know…

This proposed rule consists of three core staffing proposals:

  1. Minimum nurse staff standards of 0.55 hours per resident day (HRPD) for Registered Nurses and 2.45 HPRD for Nurse Aids;
  2. A requirement to have an RN onsite 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and
  3. Enhanced facility assessment requirements.

Click here to continue reading this blog.

 

About Proactive Medical Review
HTS partners with Proactive Medical Review, a third party company who specializes in ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and promoting measurable care excellence. The team includes SNF experienced nurse, MDS, Health Facility Administrator, therapist and reimbursement specialists with experience serving in multi-site contract therapy operations, as corporate directors of quality, clinical program specialists, and Compliance Officers. Proactive is uniquely positioned to assist in managing the many changes and challenges facing providers partnered with HTS. Learn more about our commitment to compliance here.

/0 Comments

Physical Therapy Helps Adults Move & Feel Better

As people grow older, the desire to move comfortably and live independently remains important. Physical therapy offers a specialized solution to help older adults move better, stay active, and enjoy a fulfilling life.

 

Here Are Some Ways Physical Therapy Can Help

Enhance Mobility: The core of physical therapy lies in maximizing movement and functionality to help adults move around safely and perform everyday tasks with ease.

Restore Balance: Improved balance and coordination reduces the risk of falls and allows adults to move safely at home and in their communities.

Alleviate Pain: Many conditions can lead to discomfort and pain. Physical therapists provide techniques to help ease pain and enhance quality of life.

Improve Joint Health: With specialized exercises, physical therapists manage joint pain and improve joint flexibility for better movement. Gentle stretching and mobilization techniques can help increase flexibility and prevent stiffness.

Increase Strength: As people age, maintaining muscle strength becomes vital for performing daily activities independently. Also, strong muscles are essential for maintaining balance and stability.

Talk with your doctor to find out how physical therapy could benefit you!

/0 Comments

Healthy Aging for Vibrant Living

Aging is a natural and inevitable part of life, and with the right mindset and lifestyle choices, it can be a time of continued vitality, joy, and fulfillment. Healthy aging isn’t just about adding years to your life; it’s about adding life to your years. Below are a few tips to help older adults embrace healthy aging and make the most of this exciting chapter.

 

 

Physical, occupational, and speech therapists play important roles in helping adults live vibrant, independent lives. By addressing physical limitations and functional challenges, older adults can experience improved quality of life, increased independence, enhanced well-being, and a greater sense of purpose. Talk with your doctor to see how therapy could benefit you.

/0 Comments

Building Strong Bones as You Age

As we age, several changes occur in our bones that can affect their structure, density, and overall health. It’s important to note that while these changes are common, they are not inevitable. Taking steps to improve and maintain bone health is essential for older adults to preserve their independence, prevent fractures, and enjoy a higher quality of life.

 

Can Therapy Help You?

Physical and Occupational therapy can help individuals improve bone health. Physical therapists prescribe specific exercises that target bone health including weight-bearing exercises, resistance training, and functional movements. Occupational therapists focus on proper body mechanics to help reduce the strain on bones and also provide assistive device training such as canes and walkers to ensure individuals can move safely and independently.

/0 Comments

Staying Hydrated for Better Health

Your body is made up of approximately 60% water. Water is essential for nearly every bodily function and helps regulate body temperature, lubricates joints, and aids digestion and nutrient absorption. Maintaining proper hydration is important for all ages, but is especially important for seniors.

As we age, our bodies become less efficient at regulating water and electrolyte balance. This can lead to a higher risk of dehydration. Also, older adults are more vulnerable to heat exhaustion and heat stroke due to changes in the body’s ability to regulate body temperature. Finally, as people age, the ability to sense thirst may decline. This can make seniors less aware of their body’s need for water and result in inadequate fluid intake.

How much water do you need?

The amount of water a person should drink daily can vary depending on factors such as age, sex, activity level, climate, and overall health. A common goal is to drink around 8 cups or 64 ounces of water daily for adults.

Tips to Increase Your Water Intake:

By making small changes to your daily routine, you can increase your water intake and stay hydrated.

  • Drink water with each meal
  • Try calorie-free, fruit-flavored water
  • Carry a reusable water bottle with you all the time
  • Add flavor to water to make it tastier
  • Set reminders on your phone to drink water
  • Eat more water-rich foods: lettuce, celery, and watermelon

Physical and occupational therapists can help promote hydration and overall good health through functional training, environmental modifications, education, and support. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

/0 Comments