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F-Tags in Review: F-Tag 944 Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI)

As providers of care and services in long-term care, we are all familiar with the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) process for skilled nursing facilities. Initially, this quality improvement process required having the senior members of the facility management team meet at least quarterly to discuss resident incidents and accidents, any infectious disease management needed for either the residents or the staff, review of pharmacy issues, etc. However, beginning November 28, 2019, this process…

Understanding ICD-10-CM Codes: The Important, Comprehensive, and Distinct Facts [Part 3 of 6]

Welcome back to our blog series! The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification, or ICD-10-CM, is a morbidity classification published by the United States for classifying diagnoses and reasons for visits in all healthcare settings. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting for Fiscal Year 2023 have the updated condition guidelines for coding and reporting. First, what is the difference between an Active medical condition and a History of a condition?…

F-Tags in Review: F-Tag 882 Infection Control and Preventionist

While operating a skilled nursing facility in this uncertain and difficult time is a monumental undertaking, it can be accomplished by using the given tools available through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and your state department of health. In 2016, operators of nursing facilities were made aware of additional regulations to be phased in beginning 2017, 2018 and 2019. Among those additional regulations was F-Tag 882 for the Infection Preventionist. This regulation…