STAT: Survey Tips and Tactics 2026 – Care Planning Compliance

March 11, 2026

Discover how nursing homes are being cited with their annual surveys. The Long-Term Care Survey Process and regulatory language will be reviewed. Each month will delve into a specific survey topic. Common citation examples will be given with interactive discussion from members sharing their survey experiences, best practices, and lessons learned.  Obtain useful tips and tactics for the monthly highlighted topic. Resources and other reference material will be shared.

Care planning is a core requirement for resident-centered care and a frequent focus area during nursing home surveys, as well as during State and Federal audits, with deficiencies commonly cited under F655, F656, and related tags. CMS and state survey agencies increasingly review care plans during audits, MDS exception reviews, and quality oversight activities to determine whether identified risks, conditions, and changes in status are accurately assessed, care planned and implemented. CMS expects care plans to be individualized, interdisciplinary, and based on a comprehensive assessment of each resident’s needs, preferences, risks, and goals. Surveyors and auditors often identify noncompliance when care plans are generic, not updated to reflect changes in condition, lack measurable or actionable interventions, or are not consistently implemented by staff. This session will review CMS expectations for developing, implementing, and updating care plans; examine common survey and audit findings related to care planning failures; and connect care plans to daily practice, CNA documentation, interdisciplinary communication, and audit validation. Participants will learn practical strategies to strengthen care planning processes, ensure care plans reflect current resident needs, and demonstrate effective implementation during survey and audit review.

Continuing Education Information:   

1.0 clock hour will be awarded upon successful completion.  Pending BELTSS approval.  

Criteria for successful completion: Attendance at entire event and submission of completed evaluation form. 

LeadingAge Ohio is an approved provider by the Board of Executives of Long Term Services and Supports. Core of knowledge subject areas: Care, Services and Support; Operations; Environment and Quality.  

As stated in the Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4723-14-05, education that has been approved by a board or an agency that regulates a health care profession in Ohio or another jurisdiction is an acceptable option to meet nursing continuing education requirements.

Learners have 10 days from live webinar date to complete course, including obtaining education certificate.