Nursing Home News 2026Mar26

Kierstin Reed • March 26, 2026

Life Safety Code Update

State fire marshal provided an update regarding fire extinguishing system checks for kitchen exhaust hoods. This is a requirement for ALL facilities that must comply with Life Safety Code. Nebraska was made aware during an FMS survey that not all Nebraska surveyors may be monitoring for this. Each facility must look at their system and document on each of these items on a monthly basis. You can review the Kitchen Fire-Extinguishing System Quick Checklist Here. Information about oxygen signage can be found HERE.

OIG Releases Reports on Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a two-part series of reports on March 19 investigating antipsychotic usage in nursing homes. The first report focused on antipsychotic prescribing and the second report focused on providers’ assignment of schizophrenia diagnoses to justify the use of antipsychotic medications. The reports evaluated 40 nursing home inspections and resulted in recommendations from OIG that CMS increase oversight on nursing home practices involving antipsychotics, such as ensuring greater involvement from medical directors and pharmacists, and take steps to further reduce inappropriate prescribing and diagnosing practices. These recommendations are consistent with actions taken by CMS such as schizophrenia audits and increased scrutiny on the role and responsibilities of the medical director related to antipsychotic usage. LeadingAge members can refer back to this tip sheet for a refresher on antipsychotics-related compliance.

Nursing Home Network, March 31

The Nursing Home Network will meet next Tuesday, March 31 at 2 p.m. ET. We will review nursing home policy updates from the past month and discuss various questions posed by network members. The Nursing Home Network is open to all LeadingAge members and you can register for these calls here.

Here is your NATIONAL Nursing Home Weekly Recap
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
Would you like to meet with candidates?
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
PBJ System Transitioning to iQIES in August: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on June 12, that the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system will transition to internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) on August 17, 2026. The PBJ system is the only system remaining in the previous QIES system while all other programs have transitioned to iQIES. iQIES is a secure, cloud-based system that CMS uses to collect and manage quality and compliance information. Effective on August 17, 2026, long-term care providers must submit all PBJ staffing data in iQIES. CMS will provide additional information before the launch through various email notifications regarding onboarding, training, details on what to expect, and more. Until then, please ensure that you complete the following (if you haven’t done so already): Create a HCQIS Access Roles and Profile System (HARP) account. Skip this step if you already have a HARP account. If you don’t have an account register here. Request access to iQIES – submit your request early so your access is ready before launch. Although you may request your PBJ role before August 17 (CMS strongly recommends you do so), PBJ functionality will not be available before August 17, 2026. Choose the correct PBJ role within iQIES – Provider Security Official (PSO) – Can view, upload, edit PBJ data and run PBJ reports. This role also approves user access. PBJ Submitter (Provider or Vendor): Can view, upload, edit PBJ data and run PBJ reports. Provider Administrator: View – only access and run PBJ reports. PBJ Viewer: View-only access and run PBJ reports. Additional information on roles can be found in the iQIES Onboarding Process – Provider User Roles Manual posted on the iQIES Reference and Manuals on the QTSO under iQIES Onboarding Guides. 4. Get approval from your facility’s PSO – Your access will not become active until they approve it. Each facility must have at least one PSO to manage access for additional users. Once you register for an iQIES account, be sure to log in regularly. If you don’t log in for 60 days, you’ll lose access to iQIES. Additional information on the iQIES Inactive User Policy can be found on QTSO. Vendors must request access for each facility they represent and get approval from a PSO at each facility, using the facility’s CMS Certification Number (CCN). Policy questions should be emailed to nhstaffing@cms.hhs.gov Technical questions: Contact the iQIES Service Center at 800.339.9313 Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET (7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT) You may also request assistance via secure chat or schedule a call through CCSQ Support Central. Please note that Chat Support is currently limited to 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT Monday – Friday.
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
Don’t miss our next Assisted Living Survey Session
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
COVID “Up to Date” Definition Will Not Change.
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
Proposed Rule Would Significantly Increase Cost of U.S. Citizenship
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
DHHS Hosts Quarterly Division Meeting for HCBS Providers
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
OIG Report Cites Concerns with Hospice Enrollment Eligibility Costing Medicare $255.1 Million
By Kierstin Reed June 25, 2026
LeadingAge to Co-Host GRRP Webinar
By Kierstin Reed June 18, 2026
**Thank You for Attending!** LeadingAge RAD for PRAC Peer-Sharing and Policy Discussion.
By Kierstin Reed June 18, 2026
CMS Issues Final Rule on Accrediting Organizations.
Show More