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October 2026 MDS Update: What Long-Term Care Teams Need to Know

CMS has issued important MDS updates taking effect October 1, 2026, with changes and clarifications that affect assessment practices, documentation, coding, PDPM, and quality reporting.
 
Join Amanda Odom, RN, BSN, CPHQ, RAC-CT, and Linzie Bugg, BSN, RN, QIA, IP, SMQT, for a focused review of the key changes nursing home and long-term care teams need to understand. Amanda and Linzie will highlight the updates most likely to affect daily practice, explain where facilities should pay close attention, and help leaders and clinical teams understand what the new guidance means for MDS accuracy and compliance.
 
Whether you oversee MDS, clinical operations, reimbursement, or quality, this session will help your team prepare for the October changes with greater confidence.
 

Date and Time

Tuesday October 20, 2026
10am CT / 11am ET

Beyond Awareness: Strategies in Suicide Prevention

As Suicide Prevention Awareness Month comes to a close, the conversation cannot end with September.
 
Healthcare professionals have an important role in recognizing risk, responding appropriately, and helping connect individuals with support. Qsource is offering Beyond Awareness: Strategies in Suicide Prevention, FREE, with RN CEUs available.
 
This on-demand training provides practical suicide prevention education for nurses and healthcare professionals while offering continuing education credit at no cost.
 
As we wrap up the month, take the opportunity to strengthen your knowledge and help carry suicide prevention awareness forward throughout the year.
 
 
#SuicidePrevention #NursingEducation #BehavioralHealth #ContinuingEducation
 

Upcoming Webinars

Optimizing Behavioral Care and Intervention for Seniors in Long-Term Care

The Qsource Behavioral Care and Intervention for Seniors program is a six-session training and quality improvement program designed to help long-term care and senior living teams improve behavioral care through assessment, person-centered practices, prevention, intervention care coordination, and quality improvement. 

Managing Antipsychotics in Long-Term Care: Documentation, Risk, and Regulatory Expectations

Antipsychotic management remains a high-risk area for nursing homes, especially when documentation does not clearly support clinical decision-making, gradual dose reduction efforts, behavioral interventions, or resident-specific monitoring. This session will review practical strategies for strengthening antipsychotic oversight, improving interdisciplinary communication, and reducing risk related to unnecessary medications, behavioral health documentation, and survey scrutiny.

Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Behavioral Health: Strengthening Care Planning and Staff Response

Caring for residents with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and behavioral health needs requires a consistent, individualized, and interdisciplinary approach. This session will focus on behavior identification, non-pharmacological interventions, trauma-informed care considerations, documentation expectations, and staff communication. Participants will learn how gaps in assessment, care planning, and follow-through can increase regulatory risk and affect resident safety.

Get more with Quality Link!

Members gain access to LIVE monthly webinars, one-on-one time with our subject matter experts, CEU offerings, and much more! 

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Qsource offers monthly webinars tailored to the evolving needs of long-term care facilities. Each session delivers focused education and actionable strategies on critical topics, from regulatory compliance and survey readiness to antipsychotic use, staffing challenges, and quality improvement.

Led by experienced consultants and clinical experts, our webinars are designed to support nursing home teams with the tools, insights, and guidance needed to meet federal and state expectations while improving resident outcomes. Whether you're addressing recent deficiencies or working to strengthen systems of care, Qsource webinars provide knowledge you can apply immediately.

What's Included in Our Webinars?

  • Interactive, live sessions with Q&A
  • Practical tips to reduce deficiencies and avoid penalties
  • Real-world examples from nursing homes across the region
  • Guidance that aligns with CMS regulations and industry best practices
  • Access to free resources, tools, and follow-up support from Qsource experts

Join our Mailing List for webinar updates.

Recent Webinar Topics

  • Blueprint for Survey Success: Changes in Survey Regulations (Part 1 and 2)
  • From Plan to Reality: How to Write and Execute a Plan of Correction
  • How to Implement Documentation Best Practices in Long-Term Care
  • Understanding Common Psychiatric Conditions in Older Adults
  • Beyond Awareness: Strategies in Suicide Prevention
  • Regulatory Deep Dive: Revisions to the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program