Qsource Podcasts

When a nursing home completes a Plan of Correction, the goal extends far beyond satisfying survey requirements. True success comes when those corrective actions become routine practice, consistently carried out long after surveyors have left the building. Transforming a remediation plan into a sustainable operational change takes organization, communication, and ongoing accountability.

Facilities that focus on long-term improvement...

In this Qsource Podcast episode, nurse surveyor Linzie Bugg discusses the crucial role of vision and hearing care in long-term care settings, highlighting federal regulation F-685 and its requirements. Tied to National Glaucoma Awareness Month, she explains the impact of untreated sensory impairments, the importance of routine screenings, and practical strategies for staff education and resident support. Linzie shares tips for rais...

Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations mark the beginning of a high-stakes compliance journey for nursing homes. When IJ findings reveal deeper systemic issues or repeat failures, surveyors often escalate to a Directed Plan of Correction (DPOC). This blog outlines the critical transition from crisis response to structured recovery, detailing the conditions that lead to a DPOC, the pressures facilities face d...

When survey deficiencies arise, most nursing homes respond with a standard Plan of Correction (POC), retaining full control over how to resolve cited issues. But when regulatory agencies impose a Directed Plan of Correction (DPOC), it signals deeper concerns, often tied to repeat deficiencies, ineffective QAPI systems, or unresolved Immediate Jeopardy findings. This blog explains the critical differences between standard and direct...

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...