Qsource Podcasts

Preventing Elopement and Wandering Risks in Nursing Homes

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 regulations. From behavior monitoring and staff education to QAPI-driven reviews, Qsource ensures safety without compromising resident dignity or autonomy.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting

Caring for Veterans in Nursing Homes

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 training to ensure compassionate, informed care for veterans.

[Audio Blog] Addressing the Most Common Nursing Home Citations: How Qsource Helps Turn Deficiencies into Opportunities

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 plan audits, interdisciplinary coaching, QAPI alignment, and root cause analysis. With a focus on sustainable improvement and practical team-based strategies, Qsource partners with nursing homes to move beyond compliance and toward excellence in resident care.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting

[Audio Blog] Raising the Bar for Clinical Excellence: Addressing F684 in Nursing Homes

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, interdisciplinary collaboration, and QAPI integration. When clinical systems function cohesively, quality of care becomes measurable, sustainable, and survey-ready.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting

F684 - Quality of Care

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, clinically competent care, not just avoiding deficiencies.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting

[Audio Blog] Building a Culture of Accountability and Growth in Nursing Homes

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 outcomes improve. Qsource offers coaching, communication tools, and systems support to help administrators and frontline teams work together toward shared goals.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting

[Audio Blog] Training the Team for Behavioral Success in Nursing Homes

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 communication, and QAPI-driven improvement planning. The result is a calmer environment, better resident outcomes, and a more confident, connected care team.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting

F695 Respiratory Care

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 a resident’s respiratory emergency, highlighting the consequences of inadequate care. The episode provides practical strategies to help providers deliver safe, person-centered respiratory care and avoid regulatory citations, concluding with a preview of the next episode on quality of care standards.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting

[Audio Blog] Strengthening Infection Control in Nursing Homes: A Closer Look at F880

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 reduce the risk of outbreaks, improve care quality, and boost survey readiness. Qsource supports these efforts with real-time coaching, policy reviews, and training aligned with current CMS expectations.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting

[Audio Blog] Common Citations in Nursing Homes and Their Underlying Risks

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 recognizing these high-risk areas early and implementing proactive, sustainable strategies to maintain compliance and improve care outcomes.
To schedule a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our nursing home consultants, please visit: https://www.qsource.org/book-a-meeting