Qsource Podcasts

Infection control in skilled nursing facilities is vital for protecting residents, staff, and visitors from preventable illnesses and outbreaks. Facilities face significant challenges—including emerging pathogens, regulatory shifts, and staff compliance—but proactive, evidence-based strategies can mitigate risks. Qsource supports facilities through infection control assessments, staff training, and data-driven improvement plans. By...

In this episode of "MDS Optimization," Nurse Bugg shares best practices for improving Minimum Data Set (MDS) processes in skilled nursing facilities. The discussion covers interdisciplinary teamwork, real-time documentation, staff training, and leveraging technology to boost compliance, accuracy, and efficiency. Nurse Bugg highlights the importance of regular audits in infection control, medication, care plans, and more, linking MD...

As CMS shifts focus toward complaint-driven surveys and reduces routine inspections, nursing homes face challenges in maintaining compliance, improving star ratings, and identifying quality gaps. Qsource fills the oversight void with proactive services including mock surveys, Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) support, QAPI coaching, and staff training. These solutions help facilities maintain readiness, protect residents, and drive continuou...

Falls remain a major safety concern in nursing homes, with structured fall risk assessments offering a proactive way to identify at-risk residents and prevent injuries. These assessments evaluate medical conditions, medication use, mobility, environment, and behavioral factors. By using evidence-based tools and engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration, staff can implement personalized care plans that reduce fall risk. Qsource su...

In this episode, Nurse Bugg, a nursing home consultant with Qsource, discusses care planning success in healthcare facilities, focusing on regulatory flags F656, and F677. She emphasizes the importance of developing timely baseline and comprehensive care plans, involving interdisciplinary teams, and ensuring resident and family participation. Key strategies include regular team meetings, utilizing MDS data, real-time updates, and q...

Overuse of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes remains a critical compliance and care issue. Mock surveys serve as a proactive tool to detect inappropriate prescribing, ensure compliance with F-Tag 758, and reinforce non-pharmacological interventions. These internal audits help facilities assess prescribing trends, evaluate staff knowledge, and strengthen documentation practices. With expert support from Qsource, nursing hom...

Survey success starts with strong documentation. Learn how complete, consistent records can protect your facility, support regulatory compliance, and help avoid costly deficiencies. Discover proactive steps you can take now to ensure your team is ready when surveyors arrive.

To schedule a FREE consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-m...

The fast-paced nature of long-term care facilities tends to make documentation appear as an additional duty within an already heavy workload.  The nursing home staff and administration must understand documentation must be appropriate since it establishes the base for providing quality care while protecting residents' safety and defending organizational integrity.

Qsource believes that organizations organizations should encourage a...

nnovative technology is transforming fall prevention in nursing homes by providing advanced tools such as AI-powered analytics, sensor-based monitoring systems, smart mobility aids, and VR training. These advancements enhance resident safety, support staff response, reduce fall-related injuries, and help maintain regulatory compliance. Qsource supports facilities in adopting effective, tech-driven fall prevention strategies aligned...

Audio Blog - Read the full story here: https://www.qsource.org/blog/preventable-vs.-unpreventable-re-admissions-what-nursing-homes-need-to-know

Nursing homes face substantial obstacles from hospital re-admissions because these events affect patient wellness with facility financial stability and compliance with regulatory requirements. Re-admissions to the hospital are not always unpreventable. The occurrence of unavoidable health d...

Falls are a leading cause of injury and hospitalization among nursing home residents, often leading to long-term disability or even death. Antipsychotic medications represent one of the contributing factors that may be often overlooked. These drugs, though sometimes necessary, can raise the risk of falls substantially, thus affecting both resident safety and facility compliance with CMS guidelines...

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Falls are one of the most common and serious risks in nursing homes, leading to injuries, hospitalizations, and even fatalities. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), approximately 50-75% of nursing home residents experience a fall each year, and many of these incidents could be prevented with proper staff training and proactive interventions.

To schedule a FREE consultat...

Regulatory compliance is the cornerstone of maintaining quality and safety in skilled nursing facilities. It ensures that residents receive the highest standard of care while protecting the facility from legal and financial risks. As regulations continuously evolve, nursing homes face the challenge of staying up-to-date while balancing operational efficiency and care quality. Failing to comply can lead to penalties, loss of certifi...

Risk management is a critical component of operational success in nursing homes. With increasing regulatory scrutiny and complex care needs, proactive risk management strategies are essential to protect residents, staff, and the facility’s reputation. Identifying potential liabilities and implementing effective mitigation measures can significantly reduce adverse events, financial losses, and compliance...

Antipsychotic medications are commonly used in long-term care facilities to manage symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe behavioral disturbances. However, their use in nursing homes—particularly for residents with dementia—has come under increased scrutiny. While these medications can be beneficial in certain cases, they also pose significant risks and must be used responsibly to ensur...