Every finding on record at Advanced Home Health Care Specialists Inc

Based on the findings of an unannounced, onsite Medicare recertification survey conducted on November 7 and November 8, 2023, Advanced Home Health Care Specialists, Inc. was found not to be in compliance with the following requirement of 42 CFR, Part 484.22, Subpart B, Conditions of Participation: Home Health Agencies-Emergency Preparedness.

HHA- Procedures for Follow up Staff/Pts. CFR(s): 484.102(b)(3) §484.102(b)(3) Condition of Participation: [(b) Policies and procedures. The HHA must develop and implement emergency preparedness policies and procedures, based on the emergency plan set forth in paragraph (a) of this section, risk assessment at paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and the communication plan at paragraph (c) of this section. The policies and procedures must be reviewed and updated at least every 2 years. At a minimum, the policies and procedures must address the following:] (3) The procedures to follow up with on-duty staff and patients to determine services that are needed, in the event that there is an interruption in services during or due to an emergency. The HHA must inform State and local officials of any on-duty staff or patients that they are unable to contact. This STANDARD is not met as evidenced by: Based on review of agency policies and procedures and documentation and based on staff interview (Employee #2) and interview with the administrator (Employee #3) and the clinical director (Employee #8), the agency failed to ensure the emergency preparedness plan included procedures for patient follow-up during an emergency declaration. Findings include: Between November 7, 2023 at approximately 1:06 PM and November 8, 2023 at approximately 3:40 PM, review of the emergency preparedness/disaster binder revealed the following under "Phone Service Disruption": If telephone service is disrupted, the use of cellular phones will be used as a primary means of communication. Patient #1: During interview conducted during the home visit on November 7, 2023 at approximately 11:55 AM, the physical therapist (PT-Employee #2) confirmed the patient resides alone and that the patient is unable to communicate via telephone, and is unable to hear someone knocking at the door, due to profound hearing loss. The PT confirmed the patient is able to lip-read. The PT reported that a friend of the patient, who is the power-of-attorney, is the primary telephone contact for the patient. Between November 7, 2023 at approximately 1:06 PM and November 8, 2023 at approximately 3:40 PM, review of the emergency preparedness/disaster binder failed to reveal the emergency preparedness plan included procedures for patient follow-up during an emergency declaration. On November 8, 2023 at approximately 3:55 PM, the administrator and the clinical director confirmed the emergency preparedness plan did not include procedures for patient follow-up during an emergency declaration.

Based on the findings of an unannounced, onsite Medicare recertification survey conducted on November 7 and November 8, 2023, Advanced Home Health Care Specialists, Inc. was found to be in compliance with the requirements of 42 CFR, Part 484, Subparts B and C, Conditions of Participation: Home Health Agencies.