Medicare TPE Audits: What Leaders Need to Know
Insights from Colleen Toebe, MSN, CWCN, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, DNS MT – Vice President of Clinical Services Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) audits are increasing nationwide, and skilled nursing facilities are feeling the pressure. As CMS expands data-mining methods, focuses on MDS-driven risk areas, and tightens scrutiny on therapy, nursing documentation, and medical necessity, leaders must recognize...
A Leadership Reflection: The Power of Gratitude
Insights by Lisa A. Thomson, BA, LNHA, HSE, CIMT – Chief Operating Officer, Pathway Health As we approach Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on what it truly means to lead and serve in post-acute care. Like many of you, I’ve walked the halls, listened to families, supported staff through difficult moments, and celebrated the small...
Infection Control in Nursing Homes: Why F880 Remains the Top Citation — and How Leaders Can Build a Stronger Program
Insights from Nancy Foss, Director of Regulatory and Consulting Services The Leadership ImperativeFor today’s long-term care leaders, infection control is more than a regulatory checkbox — it’s a cornerstone of resident safety, operational stability, and survey success. Yet, CMS F880 – Infection Prevention & Control remains one of the most frequently cited deficiencies nationwide. Even...
Raising the Bar on Antibiotic Stewardship
Each November, U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week reminds us that the fight against antimicrobial resistance affects us all. When it comes to healthcare settings, especially in long-term care and senior living, this focus is especially vital. Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in nursing homes, yet studies show that 40–75% of those prescriptions may...
Insights & Resources for Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
Every November, we shine a light on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and its profound impact on patients, families, and care teams. Alzheimer’s is a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life, and it accounts for 60-80% of all diagnosed dementia cases. It is also a progressive disease...
What Matters Most: Leadership’s Role in Meaningful Advanced Care Planning
By Lisa Thomson, BA, LNHA, HSE, CIMT, Chief Operating Officer, Pathway Health In today’s post-acute and long-term care settings, few conversations carry as much importance—or as much heart—as those about a resident’s wishes for their care.Advanced Care Planning (ACP) is more than a form or a regulation—it’s an opportunity to listen, understand, and ensure that...
CMS SNF Validation Audits Are Here: What Leaders Need to Know and How to Prepare
Insights from: Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IPCO, QCP, ICC – Director of Reimbursement and Education The Audit Era Is Here — and It’s Personal for SNF LeadersIf you’ve been in long-term care for any length of time, you’ve seen CMS evolve from trusting our data to verifying every keystroke. That evolution became official in September 2025, when...
Leading Proactively: Responding to the Latest OIG Findings on the CMS Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program
Insights from Nancy Foss, RN, BSN, Director of Regulatory and Consulting Services – Pathway Health The Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) October 2025 Data Snapshot confirms what many leaders in long-term care already know — the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program, designed to rehabilitate persistently underperforming nursing homes, is struggling to achieve sustained improvement. According...
Infection Prevention and Control in 2025: A Holistic Approach
Insights from Colleen Toebe, MSN, CWCN, RAC-MTA, RAC-MT, DNS MT – Vice President of Clinical Services, Pathway Health In today’s ever-evolving health care landscape, the importance of infection prevention and control (IPC) cannot be overstated. As pathogens continue to evolve, antimicrobial resistance increases, and resident populations become more medically complex, the need for effective IPC...
Driving Excellence in Skilled Nursing: Strengthening MDS Accuracy for Compliance, Quality, and Resident Outcomes
Insights from: Scott Heichel, RN, RAC-MT, RAC-CTA, DNS-CT, IPCO, QCP, ICC – Director of Reimbursement and Education Why MDS Accuracy Matters More Than EverToday’s skilled nursing environment is under unprecedented scrutiny. A recent OIG report found that 43% of resident falls with major injury and hospitalization were not reported in Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. These...