In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the sequencing of ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding.Additional Resources: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting AAPACN Articles: Deep Dive into ICD-10-CM: Diagnosis Sequencing Guidelines Five Mistakes Often Made Selecting ICD-10-CM Codes in the SNF How to Use the ICD-10-CM Coding Manual ICD-10-CM: Navigating the Term “With,” Combination Codes, and Complications of Care Deep Dive into ICD-10-CM Coding: Misunderstood Coding Guidelines ICD-10 Coding: Keys to Achieving the Highest Specificity Updates to ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines: Key Revisions and Their Implications ​​​​​​​AAPACN Education: ICD-10-CM Coding Certificate Program for SNFs RAC-CT – Introduction to ICD-10-CM Coding for Long-Term Care ​​​​​​​AAPACN Tool: Provider ICD-10-CM Documentation Tip Sheet for Long-Term CareThis AAPACN resource is copyright protected. AAPACN individual members may download or print one copy for use within their facility only. AAPACN facility organizational members have unlimited use only within facilities included in their organizational membership. Violation of AAPACN copyright may result in membership termination and loss of all AAPACN certification credentials. Learn more.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, discuss the new Appendix PP updates related to admission, transfer, and discharge going into effect April 28, 2025. Additional Resources: Appendix PP Regulatory Updates – 2025 F-Tag Library On-Demand Series CMS Nursing Homes Webpage – LTC Survey Pathways can be found in the Survey Resources ZIP file under the Downloads section…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss ways nurse assessment coordinators can advance their Quality Measures knowledge. Additional Resources:Quality Measure IQ Series: Pressure Ulcer Measures – ArticleQuality Measure IQ Series: Antipsychotic Medication Measures – ArticleQuality Measure IQ Series: All the Vaccine Measures – ArticleQuality Measure IQ Series: Discharge Function Score Measure – ArticleQuality Measure IQ Series: Long-Stay Falls Measures – ArticleQuality Measures: Fundamentals of Exclusions – PodcastJanuary 2025 Five-Star Unfreeze: What to Expect – PodcastMDS 3.0 Quality Measures: Start with the Basic Ingredients – May 2, 2024 – On-Demand WebinarAt-a-Glance QM, QRP, and VBP Tool – ToolWhen MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Triggers Start and Stop – ToolFive-Star and Care Compare MDS 3.0 Quality Measure Data Periods – ToolQuality Measures Survival Guide – ProductQuality Measures Rescue Guide – Product…

In this podcast, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, address some of the questions that were asked during the AAPACN Webinar, “SNF ABN, NOMNC, DENC – What Has Changed for this Alphabet Soup of Notices” held January 30, 2025. Additional Resources: SNF ABN, NOMNC, DENC – What Has Changed for This Alphabet Soup of Notices? – Jan. 30, 2025 Beneficiary Notice Guidelines Tool…

In this podcast, Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, director of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, discuss self-care and the importance of taking a break.

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss a new method for auditing the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM). Additional Resource:PDPM Audit by MDS Section…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, senior curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss what to expect this January when Five-Star unfreezes several quality measures.

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialists with AAPACN, discuss best practices to prepare for an AAPACN certification. Additional Resources: Resident Assessment Coordinator—Certified (RAC-CT®) Resident Assessment Coordinator—Certified Advanced (RAC-CTA®) QAPI Certified Professional (QCP®) Director of Nursing Services—Certified (DNS-CT®) Candidate Handbooks…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss how conducting a thorough candidate interview can help to improve staff retention in skilled nursing facilities as well as a resource from AAPACN to assist with this process. Additional Resources: Interview Template Tool…

In this podcast, AAPACN Curriculum Development Specialists, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA and Jennifer LaBay RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, discuss a few of the questions asked during the recent AAPACN webinar, “How to Prepare for FY 2025 ICD-10 Updates,” held on Sept. 12, 2024. Additional Resources: How to Prepare for FY 2025 ICD-10 Updates – Sept. 12, 2024…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss how a comprehensive review of whole systems can help to improve Quality Measure outcomes in skilled nursing facilities and how a new resource from AAPACN can assist with this process. Additional Resources: QM Rescue Guide QM Survival Guide…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss Quality Measures and some fundamentals about exclusions. Additional Resources: QM Survival Guide…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Dr. Devin Jopp, EdD, chief executive officer for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), discuss the role of the infection preventionist in long-term care and how this respiratory season may impact the infection preventionist’s workload. Additional Resources: APIC website, find prep courses and more APIC Staffing Calculator APIC Infection Preventionist Career Development and Advancement Guide CBIC Associate - Infection Prevention and Control (a-IPC ™) CBIC Certification in Infection Control (CIC®) – after 2 years of experience CBIC Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP®)…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss the top five changes coming to the RAI User’s Manual this October and how they will impact nurse assessment coordinators (NACs). Additional Resources: Small Updates, Big Impact: October 2024 RAI Manual Changes…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss documentation and monitoring for a skilled stay. Additional Resources: Skilled or Not? Tool Medicare Basic Training Skilled AAPACN resources…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS, RAC-MT, QCP-MT, DNS-MT, RAC-MTA, president and CEO of Celtic Consulting, and AAPACN board member, dispel some common myths and concerns related to Medicare Advantage plan management in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), the beneficiary notices initiative process, and implementing the 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Final Rule.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialists for AAPACN, discuss AAPACN tools that make the nurse assessment coordinator’s (NAC’s) job easier. Additional Resources: At-a-Glance QM, QRP, and VBP Tool PDPM At-a-Glance Tool Skilled or Not? Tool – REVISED MDS Data Collection for the NAC Tool Section GG Data Collection Tool OBRA Scheduling Tools for Calendar Year 2024 Beneficiary Notice Guidelines Tool MDS Daily Startup for the NAC Backup Tool AAPACN Free-Member Tools webpage…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss key insights to determine section GG usual performance.

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss strategies for simplifying the care plan process. Additional Resource: Baseline Care Plan Tool…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss the common challenges nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) face with care area assessments (CAAs) and how they can get back on track.…

In this podcast, Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss a few outstanding questions that members asked during the recent AAPACN webinar, Keep Quality Measures Hot During the Five-Star Freeze.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, Marti Wdowicki, PharmD, director of clinical operations for PharMerica, and Jeff Herr, PharmD, manager of clinical operations in the West for PharMerica, discuss a pharmacist’s perspective on coding section N of the MDS, what an indication of use is versus the diagnosis, and ways nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) can improve coding accuracy for this section.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss some of the common concerns noted with Significant Change in Status Assessments (SCSAs).

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the answers to the most frequently asked questions AAPACN members have asked regarding the updates coming to section GG, Functional Abilities and Goals.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, chief nursing officer for AAPACN, and Jacob Berelowitz, LNHA, LMSW, CPHQ, CCM, program manager for the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) discuss how the COE-NF can assist nursing homes.Additional Resources: COE-NF Website Request 1-on-1 Assistance from the COE-NF Upcoming Trainings Comfort Menu…

In this podcast, Jessie McGill, RN, BSN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss some of the most pressing questions about the draft RAI User’s Manual v1.18.11.

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the basics of preparing for MDS submission as well as CMS’s upcoming transition to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). Additional Resources: Prepare for iQIES to Avoid MDS Submission Failures – AAPACN Article What Role Should the NAC Sign Up for in iQIES? – AAPACN Blog Final Step of MDS Management: The Final Validation Report – AAPACN Article MDS 3.0 Final Validation Reports Quick Facts and Resources – AAPACN Tool…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, continue the New MDS Items Series on the upcoming changes to the MDS with version 1.18.11, effective Oct. 1, 2023. This episode focuses on the MDS changes that will address transfer of health information.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, continue the podcast series on the upcoming changes to the MDS. This podcast focuses on the MDS changes that will address social determinants of health.…

In this new podcast series, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, AAPACN curriculum development specialist, discuss upcoming changes to the MDS. This first episode in the series focuses on the changes to ethnicity and race, how they will be coded on the MDS, and how these changes tie into recent updates to the requirements of participation and the guidance to surveyors in Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, a curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, talk about how nurse assessment coordinators can start preparing for the retirement of section G. Additional Resources: Preparing for Section G Retirement: Care Plan UpdatesSection GG Train the Trainer…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the challenge nurse assessment coordinators face in explaining the complexity and breadth of their role to others. Additional Resource:MDS Development: A Toolbox for the NHA and DNS…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss some of the basics of trauma-informed care, what should be in place in skilled nursing facilities, and how to create a trauma-informed care plan.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Lindsay Schwartz, Ph.D., FGSA, Founder and Principal of Workforce & Quality Innovations, discuss what CoreQ is, why satisfaction data collection is important, and how frequently this data should be monitored by skilled nursing facilities.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Renee Kinder, MS, CCC-SLP, RAC-CT, executive vice president of clinical services with AAPACN Diamond partner, Broad River Rehab, share information about their participation on two technical expert panels and some news about the future unified payment model.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, discuss the current staffing crisis in skilled nursing facilities across the country and the potential impact of using the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) as a long-term staffing solution.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist with AAPACN, and Carol Maher, RN-BC, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, CPC, director of education for Hansen, Hunter & Co., P.C./Synergy Healthcare Resources/Axiom/HealthBridge, discuss some recent Medicare denials related to the use of unspecified diagnosis codes. Review the Definitions of Medicare Code Edits, ICD-10 Version - April 2022.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Mark Cifarelli, PT, a physical therapist and director of clinical content development for Legacy Healthcare Services discuss key considerations for developing fall prevention care plans.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Jennifer LaBay, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, QCP, CRC, curriculum development specialist for AAPACN, discuss some of the differences between federal and state-specific regulations for MDS completion.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Carol Maher, director of education for Hansen, Hunter & Co., discuss ICD-10 diagnosis coding for skilled nursing facilities.

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN, and Joel VanEaton, BSN, RN, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, executive vice president of PAC regulatory affairs and education for Broad River Rehab and an AAPACN Master Teacher, talk about health literacy and its importance in nursing homes today.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN is joined by AAPACN Master Teacher and Board Member, Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS RAC-MT, QCP-MT, DNS-MT, RAC-MTA to discuss how leadership can often find potential nurse assessment coordinators (NACs) among their own staff, some of the key skill sets to watch for, and how to best utilize nurse assistants to support the MDS process.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, vice president of education and certification strategy for AAPACN and Erin DuPrae, OTR/L, clinical support specialist with AAPACN Diamond Partner, Synchrony Rehab, discuss how facilities can be proactive with Part B denials and how to prepare for appeals.…

In this podcast, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MT, AAPACN vice president of education and certification strategy and Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, discuss heat-related risks to residents, what to consider when care planning, as well as the impacts that heat- and exposure-related conditions have on MDS coding.…

An overview of the final rule and PDPM structure with Judi Kulus and Jessie McGill