If you work in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Pennsylvania, you already know how stressful surveys can be. One day, everything seems to be running smoothly, and the next, you’re navigating a citation that could have serious consequences for your team and your residents. It’s a tough spot to be in, but there is a way forward. That’s where Directed In-services come into play — and they’re more than just a checkbox on your…
New Surveyor Guidance is in effect and indicates that mental health disorders in nursing home facilities need to be diagnosed by a medical practitioner. Evidence-based criteria and professional standards, such as the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), must be used and supported by documentation in the resident’s medical record. Diagnoses such as Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder require supporting documentation such as a DSM assessment, like all other mental…
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) is a federally mandated assessment used in Medicare or Medicaid-certified nursing homes to evaluate a resident’s functional abilities and healthcare needs. The MDS incorporates standardized elements, coding categories, and vital health indicators. Validating the MDS is an essential step for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that is sometimes bypassed. The validation process ensures the accuracy of the data submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The MDS coordinator,…
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