PATHTalks

Prioritizing Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs)

In today’s complex long-term care environment, leaders often ask: How many Performance Improvement Projects (PIPs) do we need? Which ones do we prioritize? And how do we implement them effectively? PIPs are one of the most powerful tools in the QAPI framework, yet they are also among the most misunderstood.
PIPs aim to improve care delivery and enhance residents' quality of life. However, many leaders find themselves overwhelmed by the number of potential improvement opportunities. Attempting to do everything at once leads to burnout and ineffective outcomes. Instead, leaders must intentionally prioritize.
Our latest PATHTalks episode explores insights from Pathway Health Nurse Consultant Calvin Reynek, along with helpful tips to prioritize performance improvement projects (PIPs), focus on what matters most, and build sustainable quality systems.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

Integrating QAPI With Direct Line Staff

In long-term and post-acute care, QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) is often talked about as a meeting, a task, or a regulatory requirement. However, QAPI is fundamentally a culture that requires full engagement from every department and every staff member, not just leadership.
Historically, QAPI meetings were treated like data dumps. Teams gathered monthly or quarterly, reviewed reports, and moved on. But today’s regulatory expectations and the increasing complexity of resident care demand something far different: an organization-wide quality mindset embedded in daily operations.
And that begins with bringing QAPI directly to the people who can influence it most: your direct line staff.
Tune in to our latest PATHTalks episode, where Pathway Health’s COO, Lisa Thomson, connects with Nurse Consultant Calvin Reynek to discuss QAPI leadership strategies for engaging direct-line staff, strengthening communication, and making QAPI a true part of the organizational culture.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 
 

Ad Hoc QAPI Meetings: Strategies for Rapid Improvement and Regulatory Success

In today’s post-acute and long-term care environment, leaders are constantly balancing daily operations with the ongoing need to improve quality outcomes. QAPI (Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement) goes beyond a regulatory requirement. It is a culture, a framework for continuous learning, and a core leadership responsibility.
While quarterly QAPI meetings are required in skilled nursing, and monthly meetings are often best practice, there are times when leaders must move beyond the regular schedule and host Ad Hoc QAPI meetings. These huddles are essential tools for addressing urgent issues, demonstrating accountability, and improving processes in real time.
In our latest PATHTalks episode, Pathway Health’s COO, Lisa Thomson, connects with Nurse Consultant, Calvin Reynek, to learn more about Ad Hoc QAPI meetings and their impact on process improvements, as well as leadership strategies to support regulatory success. Tune in!
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

Emergency Preparedness in Long-Term Care

Natural disasters are becoming more frequent, severe, and widespread, creating serious risks for long-term care organizations. Floods, wildfires, extreme heat, and severe storms now impact regions once considered low risk, putting additional pressure on facilities already managing rising resident acuity and aging infrastructure. This shift raises a critical leadership question: Are we truly prepared? While organizations have emergency plans, they often aren't as prepared as they think. Good preparation requires trained staff, tested systems, and practical execution.
In today’s PATHTalks episode, Pathway Health’s Chief Innovation Officer, Dan Billings, explores the impact of natural disasters on senior service providers and care quality, as well as leadership considerations for emergency preparedness, resources, and tools for success.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

F645 PASARR: Tips for Compliance & Success

As skilled nursing facilities face rising admissions of younger residents, individuals with complex mental health needs, and those requiring specialized behavioral supports, F645 PASARR compliance has become a leading focus for surveyors nationwide. Yet, many facilities still misunderstand or misapply the regulation—placing them at significant risk.
Tune into our latest PATHTalks episode to gain powerful insights from Pathway Health’s Director of Regulatory and Consulting Services, Nancy Foss. She sheds light on the recurring gaps, the importance of PASARR beyond paper compliance, and the leadership actions required to protect residents, mitigate risk, and maintain regulatory compliance. Tune in!
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

Ageism in Long-Term Care

With more than 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, ageism has become a national concern that influences healthcare delivery, policy development, and daily operations in senior care environments. The impact of ageism in the post-acute and long-term care sector is intensifying, and, as demographic shifts accelerate and more adults age with chronic conditions, age-based bias affects health outcomes, care quality, and the well-being of millions.
In today’s PATHTalks episode, Pathway Health’s Vice President of Clinical Services, Colleen Toebe, explores the impact of ageism in post-acute and long-term care. She also shares actionable leadership strategies to create cultures grounded in dignity, respect, and person-centered care.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 
 

Clinical Competency in Assisted Living

As the senior living landscape rapidly evolves, leaders across assisted living, home and community-based services, and post-acute care are navigating rising expectations and increasingly complex resident needs. Older adults are choosing to age in place, bringing higher acuity, multiple chronic conditions, and new service expectations into assisted living settings—areas once designed for lower-intensity support.
As resident needs are growing more complex, clinical competency in assisted living is more critical than ever. In today’s PATHTalks episode, Pathway Health’s Vice President of Clinical Services, Colleen Toebe, shares insights on the matter, as well as key leadership strategies to ensure teams have the skills and support needed to deliver safe, person-centered care. Tune in!
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

Understanding the Significance of F-761: Key Considerations

Medication safety is a key predictor of quality outcomes in skilled nursing facilities. However, F761 – Labeling and Storage of Drugs and Biologicals has risen into the Top 10 most cited deficiencies nationwide, indicating a significant risk for organizations across
In our latest PATHTalks episode, our Director of Regulatory and Consulting Services, Nancy Foss, explores why this f-tag citation is spiking, where facilities are most vulnerable, and how leaders can build stronger systems to protect residents and reduce citation exposure. Tune in!
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 

Medicare TPE Audits: What Leaders Need to Know

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 that audit preparedness is an essential component of operational stability and financial integrity.
In a recent discussion with Pathway Health’s Vice President of Clinical Services, Colleen Tobe, several key themes emerged about why audits are escalating, where organizations remain vulnerable, and how leadership can build strong systems that reduce risk while supporting defensible documentation. Tune into today’s PATHTalks episode to learn more.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website. 
 

What Every Leader Needs to Know About R.O.I. (Reimbursement Optimization Improvement)

In a rapidly shifting healthcare landscape, operational and clinical leaders are under more pressure than ever to optimize resources, improve outcomes, and demonstrate value. The intersection of regulatory oversight, data transparency, and value-based payment models has reshaped what it means to deliver quality care and how success is measured.
This engaging panel discussion with national MDS reimbursement leaders outlines key leadership focus areas to improve financial and clinical outcomes for their organization. Understanding how MDS and new data sources impact reimbursement, clinical, and public outcomes for your organization is key to sustainability and organizational success. 
Through this session, you will:
Identify key data and reimbursement trends that leaders need to know
Understand the data and reimbursement changes impacting long-term care organizations
Define three leadership strategies to improve reimbursement by assessing current practices for performance improvement.
Listen to more PATHTalks episodes for important hot topics information, leadership considerations and complimentary resources by visiting our website.