Major revisions to the CMS long-term care survey process (QSO-25-07-NH) will take effect on February 24, 2025. These updates will redefine how compliance is evaluated and require immediate action from leadership teams to ensure readiness.

At SMK Medical, we under…

I've been in long-term care for over two decades, but some stories still stop me in my tracks. This is one of them - a cautionary tale about how a $10,000 cost-cutting decision led to a $137,240 nightmare. Every administrator knows that feeling when surveyors walk…

MDS Auditing: Why ARD Dates and Clinical Documentation Review Matter

Ever wonder if your facility is leaving money on the table? Recently, we worked with a 50-bed skilled nursing facility that was doing "everything right" – or so they thought. Our detailed MDS au…

What is Immediate Jeopardy?

CMS defines Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) as “a situation in which the provider’s noncompliance with one or more conditions of [Medicare/Medicaid] participation has caused, or is likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to…

Is your Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) struggling to grow census and hit key performance indicators (KPIs)? The reality is, low census is not just a challenge—it’s a threat to your bottom line. But increasing census doesn’t have to be painful. At SMK Medical, we s…

Unlock Revenue & Boost Quality with a Trained MDS Nurse

The role of your MDS nurse is critical to your facility’s revenue and Quality Measures (QM). Proper MDS training ensures accurate assessments that directly affect your PDPM reimbursement and compliance with …

CMS recently cited 2,247 LTC facilities' F550 violations across the country, placing facilities at risk for hefty penalties and increased scrutiny. One of the most critical aspects of these violations involves residents' rights, especially their right to vote. Wit…

As you wind down your week, don’t forget—October 31, 2024 is just around the corner, and CMS has some big updates for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). The Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice (SNF ABN) has been revised, and it’s mandatory for all …

Prepare for CMS MDS Updates on October 1st, 2024

On October 1st, 2024, the latest Minimum Data Set (MDS) Assessment updates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will take effect. While the October 2023 changes were more significant—like the tr…

In long-term care, a five-star rating often serves as a badge of honor. It’s a symbol of quality, a mark of distinction that suggests your facility is among the best. But what if that coveted rating isn't telling the whole story? What if, despite your facility's s…

The long-term care (LTC) sector is undergoing significant changes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the number of facility closures has begun to decline in 2024, a new trend is emerging: an increase in mergers and acquisitions within the industry. This s…

Posted on August 20th, 2024. 

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve and face new challenges, the demand for skilled and knowledgeable consultants has grown significantly. In this article, we will explore the various ways in which consultants contribute …

Published Jul 30, 2024

Preventing abuse in nursing homes is a critical responsibility for administrators and staff. Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents requires a comprehensive approach that includes training, clear procedures, and regular assessments…

Posted on July 29th, 2024. 

Ensuring that healthcare systems operate at their highest potential involves more than just occasional adjustments; it’s a relentless pursuit of excellence. This iterative journey of enhancing every process, from the patient’s initia…

Posted on July 23, 2024

As new CMS regulations roll out, staying compliant is crucial for long-term care (LTC) and nursing home administrators. Our free online facility assessment tool is here to help you easily navigate these changes.

Why You Need This Tool

• Com…

Posted on July 13, 2024

Since CMS's introduction of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) in October 2019, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have faced the dual challenges of navigating a new reimbursement system and addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. This combi…

Posted on July 3rd, 2024

Just like nature thrives on adaptation, so too does success in long-term care. The Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) reflects this by basing reimbursement on a resident's ever-changing needs. Interim Payment Assessments (IPAs) are the k…

Posted on June 20th, 2024

Background

A five-star facility reached out to SMK Medical for a complimentary revenue assessment. The new administrator, who had recently taken over a small nursing home, sensed discrepancies in the facility’s financial performance. In…

Posted on May 20th, 2024

In long-term care, the triple-check process is a critical safety net designed to ensure accurate and compliant billing, particularly for Medicare services. This thorough review process not only prevents costly errors but also safeguards t…

Posted on April 24th, 2024

Situation

The Biden-Harris Administration has finalized a significant regulatory update, the Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule, which imposes new staffing requirements on all nursing homes receiving federal funding through Medicare and…

Posted on April 16th, 2024

Welcome to SMK Medical Compliance Minute Blog, your premier destination for all things related to healthcare consulting. At SMK Medical, we specialize in remote MDS completion, training, and auditing, making us the leading MDS consultin…

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an important update for nursing homes, which is the memorandum Ref: QSO-24-08-NH. This marks a crucial development in the approach to infection prevention and control, with the introduction of Enhance…

Posted on March 19th, 2024

The SNF 5% CMS Probe initiative by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) stresses the critical importance of compliance, documentation accuracy, and quality care in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). SMK Medical is dedicate…

Posted on March 6th, 2024

The decision to close a nursing facility is always challenging. It involves detailed planning, careful execution, and a deep commitment to the well-being of residents, their families, and the facility staff. Recognizing the complexities …

Posted on March 8th, 2024

View the webinar Here.

In a recent webinar presented by SMK Medical featuring Sylvia Abbeyquaye Ph.D, MPA, RN and Demetrius Kirk, DNPc, MBA,MSN, RN, LNHA, LSSGB, PAC-NE, QCP, the critical issue of staff retention in long-term care facil…

Posted on February 15th, 2024

The landscape of long-term care is facing unprecedented challenges, with nursing home closures becoming a more frequent reality across the nation. 

In 2023 alone, the industry witnessed a significant uptick in the number of faciliti…

SMK Medical is known for being your healthcare compliance partner. Today, the compliance minute blog is going to discuss F-585 Grievances.

Before we get started, let's review the requirements for F-585: CMS states.

Residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities rega…

Posted on January 23th, 2024

In long-term care (LTC), ensuring the highest standards of care and compliance with regulatory requirements is paramount. Among the various components contributing to achieving this goal, the role of physician certifications stands ou…

Posted on January 17th, 2024

After completing a CMS survey, the first step is to pause and celebrate your team's hard work and dedication. Remember, your team's efforts are the cornerstone of the survey's success. If your facility has aced the survey with no cita…

Posted on January 14th, 2024

Nursing home residents facing the need for dialysis treatments encounter two primary options: receiving care at a dialysis facility or within the nursing home itself. This decision hinges on various factors, such as transportation and…

Posted on December 19th, 2023

SMK Medical s thrilled to present a thought-provoking guest post by Ezedube Eze, LNHA, CDP, RCAL , a top voice in healthcare leadership. Eze wrote the blog titled 'Rethinking our Open-Door Policy,' Which offers a fresh perspective on…

Posted on December 4th, 2023

As we reach the 60-day mark of implementing the updated Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), it is a crucial time for long-term care facilities to evaluate their progress, particularly concerning Non-Therapy Ancillaries (NTA) points a…

Staying compliant with MDS (Minimum Data Set) requirements is essential in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. SMK Medical is a leading provider of MDS auditing, consulting, and training services, catering to healthcare facilities of all sizes and specialties.…

Posted on November 17th, 2023

Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) stands as a cornerstone in the realm of long-term care, offering a systematic approach to enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare services. 

This concept, crucial for healthcar…

Posted on November 17th, 2023

In the realm of healthcare, understanding the nuances and specifics of different care settings is vital for both patients and providers. 

Skilled nursing facilities play a crucial role in this landscape, particularly in the area of …

Posted on October 30, 2023

Balancing care quality with cost efficiency is the holy grail sought by all in the long-term care industry. Every facility admin needs to balance the budget without compromising service or quality, so understanding financial statements …

Posted on September 25th, 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the power of collaboration cannot be understated. 

Long-term care facilities (LTCs), such as nursing homes and residential care facilities, are crucial pillars in the continuum of senio…

Posted on September 25th, 2023

The quality and success of long-term care in skilled nursing facilities are often measured through various metrics, but none as telling as the satisfaction of its residents. 

At the heart of every nursing home lies its residents – …

Published on Aug 24th, 2023

In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is more crucial than ever for medical institutions. 

The medical field serves a diverse population, and it's essential that healthcare …

Published on July 18th, 2023

Employee retention is a critical factor in the long-term success of any organization, including those in the healthcare industry. 

In the fast-paced and demanding field of healthcare, where skilled professionals are in high demand, r…

Published on July 18th, 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, one crucial factor remains constant: the quality of care provided to patients. 

While technical expertise and medical knowledge are essential, there is another critical component that pla…

Published on June 21st, 2023

Creating a positive culture in healthcare is essential for promoting teamwork, improving patient care, and increasing employee satisfaction. As a healthcare leader, you play a critical role in fostering a culture of mutual respect, co…

Published on June 21st, 2023

Dear Owners, Executives, and Nursing Home Administrators,

In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, compliance and risk management are critical to the success of any organization, especially in the context of nursing homes. The conse…

Published on June 21st, 2023

Compliance and ethics programs are crucial for healthcare organizations to ensure they are following the necessary laws and regulations. One such regulation is §483.85, which requires each facility to have a compliance and ethics prog…

Published on June 21st, 2023

The importance of thorough planning and preparation for a CMS survey cannot be overstated. In this blog, we explore the story of a skilled nursing facility (SNF) that neglected to adequately prepare for their survey, resulting in a c…

Published on June 20th, 2023

When it comes to your health and well-being, having access to reliable healthcare consultancy can make a world of difference. 

Healthcare consultancy provides valuable guidance, support, and expert advice to help you navigate the com…

Published on June 16th, 2023

As healthcare continues to evolve and face new challenges, it has become crucial for healthcare facilities to seek professional guidance and support. That's where healthcare consulting comes into play. In this blog post, we will delv…

May 16, 2023

Setting goals is essential for success, both personally and professionally. However, not all goals are created equal. A goal without a plan is just a wish. This is where SMART goals come in. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,…

May 16, 2023

In today's healthcare industry, electronic health record (EHR) platforms are becoming increasingly necessary to streamline workflows and reduce errors. PointClickCare (PCC) is a platform designed specifically for the long-term and post-acute care (LT…

April 13, 2023

As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, so do the compliance standards that organizations must adhere to. With constantly changing regulations and guidelines, it can be difficult for healthcare providers to stay up-to-date and in compliance…

April 13, 2023

The world of healthcare compliance can be a complex and daunting one. Healthcare organizations are required to navigate a vast and ever-changing landscape of regulations, laws, and guidelines in order to ensure that they are providing safe and effe…

April 13, 2023

Professional coaching has become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more professionals seek to take their careers to the next level. At SMK Medical, we specialize in providing high-quality coaching services to executives and professio…

April 13, 2023

In our third and final blog, we will discuss the importance of facility culture in long-term care and how it can impact staff retention, quality of care, and overall job satisfaction. We will provide five tips for improving facility culture and dis…

April 13, 2023

Long-term care facilities are responsible for maintaining accurate and transparent staffing information to ensure quality patient care. One of the methods for achieving this is through the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system. In this blog post, we w…

April 13, 2023

Creating and maintaining a positive healthcare culture is vital for ensuring the best outcomes for patients and staff alike. A positive culture not only boosts patient satisfaction but also promotes staff engagement and satisfaction, improves clini…

March 13, 2023

As we approach Nursing Home Administrators (NHA) week from March 13-17, it's time to take a moment to appreciate these professionals' hard work and dedication. Nursing Home Administrators are responsible for ensuring that residents of long-term car…

March 6, 2023

Welcome to the second blog in our 3-part series on current issues and trends in long-term care/skilled nursing homes. In this blog, we will discuss the challenge of staff retention in skilled nursing homes, a longstanding issue in the industry. Staf…

February 27, 2023

Welcome to our 3-part series on current issues and trends in long-term care/skilled nursing homes. In this series, we will discuss some of the most pressing issues facing long-term care facilities today and how they can be addressed with the hel…

March 3, 2023

In today's job market, having a top-notch resume and cover letter is just the beginning. The job application process can be overwhelming and confusing, from navigating applicant tracking systems to acing the interview and negotiating salary and bene…

February 24, 2023

As the healthcare industry evolves, nursing homes are experiencing increasing pressure to maintain a high census. With changes in healthcare policies, technological advances, and the growing need for long-term care services, nursing homes must a…

February 10, 2023

At SMK Medical, we understand the importance of having an effective resume and making a great impression during an interview. Writing a powerful resume that truly reflects your skills and experiences is essential to landing the job of your dream…

Published 2-1-23

In January 2023, the Department of Justice uncovered that approximately 7,600 nurses held fake nursing licenses. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the healthcare industry and has raised questions about the verification process for obtain…

CMS has done it again. on Jan 18, 23, CMS released their most recent QSO, QSO-23-05-NH.

The focus of this QSO is on the following.

1. Auditing NH MDS files to check for erroneous coding of the Schizophrenia DX. The audits can result in an adjustment of your five-star…

Posted on Jan 13, 2023

Are you tired of applying for job after job, only to be met with rejection or silence? Are you unsure of how to make your resume and cover letter stand out in a sea of applicants? One solution to these job search struggles is professional c…

Recently there were over 7000 nurses that went on strike in New York. The striking of nurses will significantly impact the care the patients receive. At this time, it is unclear if the hospitals will face any fines or citations for this. As an administrator or own…

Struggling Facilities Encouraged to Reach Out for Support! You don't have to struggle alone.

Faced with unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, many long-term care facilities are struggling with census, loss of revenue from financial penalties, …

Here are five pro tips to help you improve your job search in 2023.

1. Review and keep your resume & LinkedIn up-to-date every six months to ensure you are capturing all of your job duties on your resume.
2. Reach out to past coworkers, supervisors, and te…

Nursing Home Neglect? What is it and how to protect your loved one?

We can not escape the aging process. However, we can make our senior years as pleasant as possible. For some, they will age at home. Others may need additional care. Choosing where to receive you…

SMK Medical Does onsite and remote Mock Surveys 

SMK Mock Survey Benefits You!

How does our CMS mock survey benefit you?

• You get the opportunity to experience what the CMS survey process will be like. Your team gains confidence in interacting with CMS surveyors w…

Memorandum Summary 

• CMS is committed to taking critical steps to protect vulnerable individuals to ensure America’s health care facilities are prepared to respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (PHE).

 • On November 5, 2021,…

Posted on November 1st, 2022

A Wayne State University School of Medicine study shows a low rate of vaccination among children with asthma in Detroit.

Master of Public Health graduate Sarah Parker conducted the investigation for her public health practice capston…

Posted on October 31st, 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) released new details on its 2022 Global TB Report. 

The report states WHO found an estimated 10.6 million people were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in 2021. That number increased by 4.5% from th…