Every finding on record at Helping Hands Home Care of Columbus, LLC

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SURVEY At the time of the emergency preparedness survey completed on 05/10/21, Helping Hands Home Care of Columbus is in compliance with the provisions of 42 CFR Part 484.102, Conditions of Participation for Home Health Agencies.

Partial Extended Recertification Survey The following deficiencies are based on the partial extended recertification survey completed 05/10/21. Helping Hands Home Care of Columbus, 368435, is not in compliance with the requirements found at 42 CFR Part 484, Subpart B, C for Home Health Agnecies.

Plan of care must include the following CFR(s): 484.60(a)(2)(i-xvi) The individualized plan of care must include the following: (i) All pertinent diagnoses; (ii) The patient's mental, psychosocial, and cognitive status; (iii) The types of services, supplies, and equipment required; (iv) The frequency and duration of visits to be made; (v) Prognosis; (vi) Rehabilitation potential; (vii) Functional limitations; (viii) Activities permitted; (ix) Nutritional requirements; (x) All medications and treatments; (xi) Safety measures to protect against injury; (xii) A description of the patient's risk for emergency department visits and hospital re-admission, and all necessary interventions to address the underlying risk factors. (xiii) Patient and caregiver education and training to facilitate timely discharge; (xiv) Patient-specific interventions and education; measurable outcomes and goals identified by the HHA and the patient; (xv) Information related to any advanced directives; and (xvi) Any additional items the HHA or physician or allowed practitioner may choose to include. This ELEMENT is not met as evidenced by: Based on record review and interview, the agency failed to ensure the physician was notified of the decreased hours in home health aide visits. This affected two (Patients #2 and 33) of seven medical records reviewed. This had the potential to affect all patients receiving HHA services from the agency. The agency census was 35. Findings include: 1. Review of Patient #3's medical record revealed a start of care date of 05/03/17 with a primary diagnosis of early onset cerebral ataxia. Home Health Aide (HHA) services were ordered for 35 hours a week on the physician ordered plan of care. The week of 03/7/21 through 03/13/21, 32.43 hours of HHA services were provided; the week of 03/14/21 through 03/20/21, 28.05 hours of HHA services were provided; the week of 03/21/21 through 03/27/21, 31.42 hours of HHA services were provided; the week of 03/28/21 through 04/03/21, 34.53 hours of HHA services were provided; the week of 04/04/21 through 04/10/21, 31.46 hours of HHA services were provided; the week of 04/11/21 through 04/17/21, 30.11 hours of HHA services were provided; the week of 04/18/21 through 04/24/21, 32.23 hours of HHA services were provided; and the week of 04/25/21 through 05/01/21, 28.25 hours of HHA services were provided. The medical record contained no documentation about the missed hours each week. During interview on 05/10/21 at 12:00 P.M., Staff A verified there was no documentation related to the missed hours. No further documentation was provided. 2. Review of Patient #2's medical record revealed a start of care date of 08/05/19 with a primary diagnosis of aneurysm of unspecified site. HHA services were ordered for 63 hours a week on the physician's ordered plan of care. The week of 03/07/21 through 03/13/21, 34.16 hours of HHA services were provided; The week of 03/14/21 through 04/20/21, 27.55 hours of HHA services were provided; the week of 03/21/21 through 03/27/21, 39.26 hours of HHA services were provided; the week of 03/28/21 through 04/03/21, 26.33 hours of HHA services were provided; and the week of 04/04/21 through 04/10/21, 9.11 hours of HHA services were provided. There were two missed visit notes dated 04/05/21 and 04/06/21; neither note stated the number of hours missed. The medical record contained no documentation about the missed hours each week. During interview on 05/10/21 at 12:00 P.M., Staff A stated that the patient should be getting 40 hours a week due to family not wanting any other aide caring for the patient. She said she forgot to make the changes to the physician plan of care. Review of the agency policy titled "Missed visit policy" revealed "the agency office staff will notify the physician of any and all missed visits or deficiencies in service hours provided that do not coincide with the 485/Plan of care orders."

Infection Prevention CFR(s): 484.70(a) Standard: Infection Prevention. The HHA must follow accepted standards of practice, including the use of standard precautions, to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases. This STANDARD is not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, staff interview and review of the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, the agency failed to ensure staff were wearing masks and wearing the appropriate type of mask. This affected two (Patients #1 and #2) of three home visits completed. The facility census was 35. Findings include: During a home visit with Patient #1 on 05/05/21, Staff B was in the patient's home and not wearing a face mask. During a home visit with Patient #3 on 05/06/21, Staff A was wearing a cloth mask. During interview on 05/06/21 at 9:11 A.M., Staff A stated the last thing she read stated they could use cloth masks. She was not aware that Staff B didn't wear a mask. Review of the document related to face masks provided by the agency on 05/10/21 revealed it was part of a question and answer dated 05/10/21 for general business. It stated "Cloth face coverings can prevent the wearer from spreading COVID-19 to others, but they may not always be appropriate". Review of the frequently asked questions from the CDC revealed cloth masks are not personal protective equipment (PPE). They should not be used in place of medical facemasks or NIOSH-approved respirators as part of Standard or Transmission-based precautions.