Qsource Podcasts

Recovering from an Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citation takes more than correcting the immediate risk. Surveyors expect sustained, systemic improvements to prevent future breakdowns that could trigger a Directed Plan of Correction (DPOC). This blog explores how Qsource helps nursing homes stabilize after IJ, strengthen documentation, retrain staff, and implement quality-focused systems that build long-term compliance. With tools like m...

In this episode of the Qsource Podcast, nurse surveyor Linzie Bugg discusses caring for nursing home residents during the holidays, focusing on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and its impact. She highlights the importance of recognizing psychosocial risks, providing emotional support, and implementing person-centered, meaningful activities. Linzie also explains relevant regulatory expectations and offers practical strategies, suc...

An Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citation signals that residents face serious and immediate risk, and how a facility responds in the first hour can determine regulatory outcomes. This article outlines the critical leadership actions nursing homes must take the moment an IJ is declared. It emphasizes rapid mobilization, clear role assignments, proactive surveyor communication, and real-time documentation. By pausing all other priorities a...

In this episode of the Qsource Podcast, nurse surveyor Linzie Bugg discusses National Handwashing Awareness Week, highlighting the critical role of hand hygiene in long-term care facilities. They explain F-880 infection control regulations, share creative strategies to boost handwashing compliance among staff, residents, and visitors, and emphasize the benefits of strong IPC programs. The episode also promotes Qsource resources for...

Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) is one of the most serious regulatory threats facing nursing homes, with citations that can lead to steep penalties, loss of trust, and resident harm. This article breaks down the critical warning signs that often precede IJ determinations, such as supervision failures, medication errors, and breakdowns in communication or documentation. It outlines when these risks typically surface, what frontline staff sh...

In this episode of the Qsource podcast, Linzie Bugg and consultant pharmacist Jonathon Pouliot discuss the importance of antibiotic stewardship in long-term care (LTC) facilities, especially during Antibiotic Stewardship Awareness Week. They highlight the dangers of antimicrobial resistance, regulatory requirements from CMS, and practical steps for building effective stewardship programs. Emphasizing teamwork, communication, and ed...

Food safety is a top priority in nursing homes, especially under CMS F812 regulations. This blog explores how even minor oversights in storage, labeling, sanitation, and staff hygiene can lead to serious consequences, including resident illness and regulatory citations. F812 requires strict adherence to FDA Food Code standards, and citations often result from improper temperatures, expired items, cross-contamination, or poor hand h...

In this episode of the Qsource Podcast, Linzie Bugg celebrates National Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week, highlighting the vital role NPs play in long-term care. The episode offers creative ideas for honoring NPs, such as luncheons, social media spotlights, and resident involvement. It also provides practical guidance on ensuring NP compliance with CMS regulations, covering supervision, documentation, and delegation. Linzie emphasizes ...

Infection control in nursing homes is more than a checklist, it’s a frontline function that requires teamwork, accountability, and systems that work in real-world conditions. This blog explores how Qsource helps nursing homes move beyond written policies to build infection prevention practices that are sustainable, survey-ready, and truly protective. From PPE placement and hand hygiene to catheter care and environmental cleaning, Q...

Elopement is one of the most cited and dangerous risks in nursing homes, especially among residents with dementia. Preventing it takes more than alarms and locked doors, it requires early identification of high-risk individuals, environmental design that supports safe movement, and a well-trained, alert care team. This blog outlines how Qsource helps facilities build proactive, rights-respecting prevention plans that align with CMS...

In this episode of the Qsource Podcast, nurse surveyor Linzie Bugg discusses the unique needs of veterans in nursing homes, especially around Veterans Day. She explains VA nursing home programs, eligibility, and funding, and outlines CMS expectations for veteran care. Linzie emphasizes trauma-informed, personalized care, and highlights the importance of honoring veterans’ service. She also describes how Qsource supports staff train...

The most frequently cited deficiencies in nursing homes, F880 (Infection Control), F689 (Accident Hazards), F656 (Care Planning), F684 (Quality of Care), F812 (Food Safety), and F600 (Abuse/Neglect), often reflect deeper systemic issues like poor communication, staffing shortages, and weak internal processes. Qsource helps facilities turn these challenges into opportunities by providing structured support through mock surveys, care...

F684: Quality of Care, is one of the most frequently cited F-tags in nursing homes because it reflects the full scope of resident care delivery. This regulation requires facilities to provide timely, individualized services that support residents’ highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. Qsource helps facilities prevent F684 deficiencies by strengthening early clinical response, staff communication, interd...

Qsource explains the F684 regulation, which mandates quality care in long-term care facilities. Linzie Bugg details what F684 requires, highlights common pitfalls that lead to citations, like delayed care and poor documentation, and offers practical strategies for compliance, such as proactive assessments, dynamic care plans, strong teamwork, and thorough documentation. Linzie emphasizes that F684 is about fostering person-centered...

Strong nursing home cultures are built, not by accident, but through leadership alignment, staff empowerment, and consistent communication. This blog explores how Qsource helps facilities reduce turnover and improve care by focusing on career growth, respect, QAPI engagement, and team-based accountability. When staff feel trusted, supported, and included in meaningful decision-making, compliance becomes sustainable, and resident ou...

Effective behavioral care in nursing homes begins with cross-functional training and a unified approach. This blog emphasizes the importance of equipping all departments, from nursing and CNAs to dietary and housekeeping, with the tools and confidence to respond to behavioral challenges with empathy and consistency. Qsource helps facilities build team-based behavioral health strategies through practical training, interdisciplinary ...

In this episode of the Qsource Podcast, nurse surveyor Linzie Bugg explains regulation F695, which covers respiratory and tracheostomy care in long-term care facilities. Linzie details the regulation’s requirements, common deficiencies, and best practices for compliance, emphasizing staff training, documentation, and emergency preparedness. She illustrates key points with a real-life scenario involving ...

F880 (Infection Prevention and Control) remains one of the most frequently cited F-tags in nursing homes, often due to inconsistencies in daily practice rather than lack of policy. This blog outlines how facilities can strengthen compliance by focusing on routine hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, cross-departmental communication, and ongoing monitoring. By embedding infection prevention into team culture and workflows, facilities re...

Recurring nursing home citations often point to deeper systemic issues, not individual errors. This blog explores five of the most frequently cited F-tags: F880 (infection control), F689 (accident hazards), F684 (quality of care), F812 (food safety), and F600 (abuse prevention), highlighting how staffing challenges, inconsistent protocols, and leadership turnover contribute to repeat deficiencies. Qsource supports facilities in rec...