Learning Library

CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule requires healthcare facilities to plan for natural and man-made disasters. This lesson covers the four core elements of the rule: risk assessment and emergency planning, policies and procedures, communication plan, and training and testing. Includes California-specific disaster risks, annual exercise requirements, documentation standards, and coordination with local emergency management agencies.

Falls are the most commonly reported incident in long-term care facilities and a major focus of CMS surveys. This lesson covers fall risk assessment tools, multifactorial fall prevention strategies, environmental modifications, medication review for fall risk, post-fall assessment and management, individualized fall care plans, hip protectors and other protective devices, staff communication about fall-risk residents, and fall data tracking and analysis for quality improvement.

The MDS 3.0 is a comprehensive assessment tool required by CMS for all nursing home residents. This lesson provides an overview of the MDS 3.0 assessment process, assessment scheduling and types (admission, quarterly, annual, significant change), key sections of the MDS, the importance of accurate coding for care planning and reimbursement, the relationship between MDS data and quality measures, and common MDS coding errors to avoid.

CMS requires that each resident have an individualized, person-centered comprehensive care plan. This lesson covers the care planning process from assessment to evaluation, incorporating resident preferences and goals, interdisciplinary team roles and responsibilities, family involvement in care planning, addressing psychosocial and spiritual needs, discharge planning, care plan documentation requirements, and the transition from institutional to person-centered care models.

Pressure injuries are a key quality measure monitored by CMS. This lesson covers the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) staging system, risk assessment using Braden Scale, evidence-based prevention interventions including repositioning schedules, support surfaces, nutrition optimization, and moisture management; wound assessment and documentation, treatment approaches by stage, and CMS F-tag requirements related to pressure injury prevention and treatment.

CMS updated the Requirements of Participation for long-term care facilities with major revisions focusing on quality and safety. This lesson covers the key changes including infection control program requirements, compliance and ethics programs, QAPI requirements, behavioral health services, pharmacy services, food and nutrition services, and the transition from traditional compliance to person-centered, outcome-based requirements. Includes Phase 2 and Phase 3 implementation details.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a CMS quality measure and a preventable healthcare-associated infection. This lesson covers indications for urinary catheter use, proper insertion and maintenance techniques, daily catheter necessity assessment, catheter removal protocols, alternatives to indwelling catheters, CAUTI prevention bundles, recognizing signs and symptoms of UTI, and documentation requirements. Includes the CMS catheter reduction initiative guidelines.

Nursing education on cn i: olfactory, including assessment, clinical interventions, medication management, patient education, and evidence-based practice guidelines for nurses.

Nursing education on cn ii: optic, including assessment, clinical interventions, medication management, patient education, and evidence-based practice guidelines for nurses.

Nursing education on cn iii, iv, vi: oculomotor, including assessment, clinical interventions, medication management, patient education, and evidence-based practice guidelines for nurses.

Nursing education on cn ix, x: glossopharyngeal & vagus, including assessment, clinical interventions, medication management, patient education, and evidence-based practice guidelines for nurses.

Nursing education on cn v: trigeminal, including assessment, clinical interventions, medication management, patient education, and evidence-based practice guidelines for nurses.