News

Recent LTC Imperative Surveys Show Continued Tough Times for Providers

On February 23, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

With our partner in the Long-Term Care Imperative, we recently completed two surveys that look at the operating conditions faced by providers: a workforce survey and a care center occupancy survey. The surveys confirmed that staffing challenges continue to impact access to services for seniors throughout the state.

2023 Institute & Expo – Education to Prepare for Your Next Survey

On January 26, 2023 by Sharon Hollister

Learn best practices for preparing for your next survey at the 2023 Institute & Expo. In addition to the survey-focused sessions below, many of the 21 state agency update sessions include survey findings, areas for improvement, and preparation resources. 

Customizing Assisted Living Policies

On January 19, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently reminded assisted living providers to customize all pre-written sample policies to avoid correction orders.

CMS Announces Two Quality and Safety Initiatives Related to Antipsychotic Medication

On January 19, 2023 by Kari Everson

On Jan. 18, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced two initiatives in quality and safety oversight memo 23-05-NH in response to the Biden-Harris administration effort to improve nursing home transparency, safety, and quality. CMS intends to conduct offsite nursing home audits to determine if the nursing home correctly coded diagnoses for residents using antipsychotic medication. CMS will change how citations under dispute are posted.

Adult Day Sector Still Struggling to Recover from the Pandemic

On January 12, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

LeadingAge Minnesota completed a survey of our adult day services members to evaluate their financial health and the challenges they are facing in recovering from the impacts of the Covid pandemic. The results make clear that adult day service providers face many challenges as they attempt to maintain this vital part of the network of services for the elderly and disabled.

Temporary Nurse Aide Program Extension, Next Steps

On October 13, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Minnesota's nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver now have until April 5, 2023, or the end of the public health emergency (PHE), whichever is sooner, to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

Nursing Home Citations for Past Noncompliance

On September 28, 2022 by Kari Everson

Recently, LeadingAge Minnesota received more questions about citations for past noncompliance actions and how those citations impact the five-star rating, calculating fines, and appeals.

CMS COVID-19 Survey Tools

On September 6, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

Changes Required to Assisted Living Contracts

On July 21, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

Providers will be required to make a few minor changes to the assisted living contract in the coming weeks. LeadingAge Minnesota is in the process of providing feedback to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) on a draft frequently asked questions document regarding assisted living contract language.

MDH Releases New Side Rail FAQ for Assisted Living

On May 10, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has recently released new guidance on using side rails in assisted living communities.

Preventing CPR and Other Urgent Response Issues that Can Lead to Survey Citations

On December 2, 2021 by Julie Apold

A LeadingAge Minnesota staff team recently reviewed 2020 and 2021 Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations issued to nursing homes during survey investigations. We identified several cases in which CPR was delayed or the code status was not appropriately followed when determining whether or not to initiate CPR.

Survey Tool for Assisted Living Meals and Menu Requirements Now Available

On October 20, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has made the survey tool for assisted living meals and menus available. The tool provides insight into how compliance with the USDA Guidelines will be interpreted. 

Top Cited Deficiencies from Nursing Home Recertification Surveys

On October 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The information available from the CMS Quality, Certification and Oversight Reports (QCOR) database shows that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) completed 100 nursing facility recertification surveys during the federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30. There is some lag time in survey data entry, so the year-end total is likely slightly higher. Here's a sampling of the data:

New CMP Grant Window: Employee Engagement with Align

On September 8, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Care centers have access to an engagement, retention, and leadership building platform for FREE through a grant for Align’s Employee Engagement Solution. A new grant window is opening soon, just as the previous cycle is wrapping up.

Workforce Survey Results to Inform Key Advocacy to Address Staffing Challenges

On September 8, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

This week, the Long-Term Care Imperative is conducting a survey of workforce conditions faced by care center and assisted living members.

Two Weeks Left! Apply for Employee Engagement Grant

On August 18, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Care centers have only two weeks left to apply for grant funding to implement an employee engagement strategy and improvement program through Align’s Employee Engagement Solution.

CMS approves civil money penalty (CMP) grant dollars to address employee turnover and its impact on the resident experience and quality of life in Minnesota skilled nursing facilities.

LeadingAge Working to Extend Flexibility Relating to Fire Safety Evaluation System

On August 18, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The LeadingAge Minnesota staff team is working to identify care center members who rely upon the Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) as an alternative means to demonstrate compliance with fire safety requirements of NFPA 101®: Life Safety Code® (LSC).

No-Cost Employee Engagement Survey and Training Grant Funding Available

On August 11, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Grant funding is available for skilled nursing facilities to implement an employee engagement strategy and improvement program through Align’s Employee Engagement Solution.

CMS approves civil money penalty (CMP) grant dollars to address employee turnover and its impact on the resident experience and quality of life in Minnesota skilled nursing facilities.

Grant Funding for No-Cost Employee Engagement Survey and Training

On August 4, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Grant funding is available for skilled nursing facilities to implement an employee engagement survey and improvement program through Align’s Employee Engagement Solution.

Members Encouraged to Submit MDH Vaccine Survey Weekly

On January 20, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

Starting last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is conducting a weekly survey on vaccination in long-term care settings. The survey allows MDH and the provider associations to track the progress of vaccination of residents and staff in sites across the state. Providers are asked to visit the vaccine REDcap survey link each Wednesday to updated their information.