This week’s “Ftag of the Week” is F730 Nurse Aide Performance Review – 12 Hr/Year In-Service. This regulation outlines the performance review and in-service education components that are required for nurse aides. Nurse aides must receive a minimum of 12 hours of in-service education per year; record reviews will show surveyors if a performance review of each nurse aide was conducted at least once every 12 months, and if specific in-service education was provided based on the outcome of these individual reviews. Per Appendix PP, F730 should only be cited when the performance review is not conducted at least every 12 months or if the in-service education provided to the nurse aide is not based on the individual performance review. Surveyors are directed to identify what evidence the facility can provide that demonstrates that the in-service education provided addressed individual areas of weakness that were identified in the performance reviews, as well as considering unique resident needs and the needs of any cognitive impaired residents.
The updated Requirements of Participation (RoPs) heavily emphasize the need to have sufficient and competent staff. The IG at F730 further adds to those concepts by forcing facilities to take a harder look at the competencies and skills of their CNAs to identify what areas can be improved individually – and complete education around those weakness as well. Also note that the annual in-service education hours calculation should be based on employment date rather than the calendar year.
