LTC Clarified: Weekly News, Insights & Connections

Falls are one of the most common adverse events in nursing homes, and approximately one-third of falls among nursing home residents result in an injury. Because falls can result in fractures, dislocations, and serious head injuries, timely assessment, intervention, and communication following a fall are critical. Let’s review post-fall action items including compliance with notification of changes -- what must be communicated and documented for F580 Notification of Changes compliance.

Proactive provides the systems, structure and support you need to reduce falls and Falls with Major Injury. Learn more about adding Proactive to your Fall Prevention team!

Q: What process should we follow to capture an accurate depression score and support the PDPM depression end split?

Join us for 15 contact hours of live virtual MDS orientation training with expert trainers over 3 interactive training days. Learn more and register

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SEPTEMBER: Check out upcoming webinars in September!

Proactive's experienced nurse consultants provide coaching and support to mentor new nurse leaders. Contact us to learn about MDS back up coverage options, orientation/training and access to proven support for DON, MDS, Infection Preventionist and other nurse leadership roles.

In the News

Survey and Certification (S&C) Risk Based Surveys (RBS) User Manual

CMS posted Survey and Certification (S&C) Risk Based Surveys (RBS) User Manual Version 1.1 August 13, 2026. 

SNF QRP Data Collection & Final Submission Deadlines for FY 2028 

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Data Collection and Final Submission Deadlines for the FY 2028 SNF QRP have been updated to provide the data collection time frames and final submission deadlines for the FY 2028 SNF QRP.

SNF QRP Validation Audit Results Letters

Results of the SNF QRP Validation Audits have begun to come in. SNF QRP Validation Audits were designed to validate that the quality measure data submitted through the MDS was accurate, reliable, and supported by documentation in the medical record. These audits began in January 2026 with a sample of facilities selected to validate the data for a sample of 10 residents. Currently the only penalties applied based on this audit are to facilities that failed to respond to the request for documentation within the required 45-day timeframe allotted. Sampled facilities have begun receiving their audit findings result letters with concerns often centered around the adequacy, completeness, and consistency of the documentation to support the MDS coding.  

Focus areas reviewed for accuracy included the admission and discharge functional assessment (Section GG), falls and fall related (Section J) and skin conditions/pressure injury (Section M). When reviewing section GG coding, for example, the findings may indicate the documentation does not consistently support the level coded and/or lacked documentation of a functional assessment during the assessment window, Another area of concern noted in the findings included the completion and of skin assessments on admission and throughout the stay to support the accuracy of pressure ulcer coding are support whether a coded pressure ulcer was present on admission or was new or worsened at the time of discharge. While CMS indicates the audit findings are informational only, the initial findings provide valuable insight into coding discrepancies and documentation issues SNFs should focus on to inform processes going forward and validate documentation systems are in place to adequately support the SNF QRP data reported and submitted on the MDS assessment.  The McKnight’s LTC News article provides additional insights related to these findings: What the first wave of data validation audit results signal for nursing home compliance (2026 Aug. 18 Marselas)

SNF QRP Validation Audit Results Letters

Results of the SNF QRP Validation Audits have begun to come in. SNF QRP Validation Audits were designed to validate that the quality measure data submitted through the MDS was accurate, reliable, and supported by documentation in the medical record. These audits began in January 2026 with a sample of facilities selected to validate the data for a sample of 10 residents. Currently the only penalties applied based on this audit are to facilities that failed to respond to the request for documentation within the required 45-day timeframe allotted. Sampled facilities have begun receiving their audit findings result letters with concerns often centered around the adequacy, completeness, and consistency of the documentation to support the MDS coding.  

Focus areas reviewed for accuracy included the admission and discharge functional assessment (Section GG), falls and fall related (Section J) and skin conditions/pressure injury (Section M). When reviewing section GG coding, for example, the findings may indicate the documentation does not consistently support the level coded and/or lacked documentation of a functional assessment during the assessment window, Another area of concern noted in the findings included the completion and of skin assessments on admission and throughout the stay to support the accuracy of pressure ulcer coding are support whether a coded pressure ulcer was present on admission or was new or worsened at the time of discharge. While CMS indicates the audit findings are informational only, the initial findings provide valuable insight into coding discrepancies and documentation issues SNFs should focus on to inform processes going forward and validate documentation systems are in place to adequately support the SNF QRP data reported and submitted on the MDS assessment.  The McKnight’s LTC News article provides additional insights related to these findings: What the first wave of data validation audit results signal for nursing home compliance (2026 Aug. 18 Marselas)

CDC Resource For HAI Outbreak Investigation

CDC released CaseTrace, a free online tool to assist with outbreak investigations. Find the tool(s) and user manual at CaseTrace.

Contact Proactive LTC CareConnect for same-day access to seasoned clinical experts providing guidance to stabiliaze situations, reduce risk and move forward with confidence.