Every finding on record at Better Home Health Inc

An unannounced complaint survey for complaint #2022003698 was conducted 6/20/22 at Better Home Inc. a Home Health Agency in Fort Myers, Florida. The Complaint was substantiated with citations. Better Care Home Health Agency is in compliance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 42, Part 484, Conditions of Participation for Home Health Services. The following is a description of the Standard level deficiency.

RN performs assessment CFR(s): 484.55(a)(1) A registered nurse must conduct an initial assessment visit to determine the immediate care and support needs of the patient; and, for Medicare patients, to determine eligibility for the Medicare home health benefit, including homebound status. The initial assessment visit must be held either within 48 hours of referral, or within 48 hours of the patient's return home, or on the physician or allowed practitioner - ordered start of care date. This ELEMENT is not met as evidenced by: Based on record review, and staff interview, the Home Health Agency failed to demonstrate effective coordination to ensure 1 (Patient #1) of 3 patients referred for services received a timely evaluation to determine immediate care to support and maintain the patient's health, safety, and in the development of a plan of care. The home health agency failed to ensure the patient’s initial assessment was completed within 48 hours of receiving the referral and failed to notify the patient’s physician. The findings included: Medical record review revealed a referral was made to the home health agency from the hospital for Skill Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapies. Patient, #1's primary health diagnosis includes respiratory failure due to COVID-19. The home health agency received the discharge referral on 2/16/22 and the patient was discharge from the hospital on 2/18/22. The Start of Care, Admission Comprehensive Assessment, Initial Home Visit was not until 2/23/22. The medical records failed to provide documentation of the Home Health Agency notifying the patient’s physician of the delay in services. On 6/20/22 at 11:45 a.m., during interview, the Home Health Agency’s Owner said, the referral came on 2/16/22 and the patient was discharged from hospital on 2/18/22. We made several calls to the patient’s home and were unable to make contact. We did not notify the patient’s doctor that we could not contact the patient.