Every finding on record at Ihc Health Services, Inc

Based on a recertification survey conducted 02/12/2024 through 02/20/2024, it was determined that Intermountain Homecare Home Health St George was was found to be in compliance with the Conditions of Participation for Emergency Preparedness; 42 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 484.22 and 484.102.

A recertification survey was conducted at Intermountain Homecare Home Health St. George from 02/12/2024 through 02/20/2024 to assess compliance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) governing home health agencies. Non compliance was identified at 42 CFR 484.70 infection prevention and control.

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, interview and record review, it was determined that for 2 of 6 home visit observations, agency staff placed a medical bag on furniture before placing a barrier between the medical bag and the furniture, agency staff did not clean/disinfect reusable medical equipment after patient cares and placed the reusable equipment in a medical bag and agency staff did not don new gloves after removing a soiled dressing and before applying a new dressing. (Patient identifiers: 3 and 4.) 1. On 02/13/2024 at approximately 3:15 PM, an observation was made of a Physical Therapist (PT) while providing cares to patient 4. The PT placed the medical bag directly on top of a couch before placing a barrier between the medical bag and the couch. The PT obtained patient 4's blood pressure then placed the blood pressure cuff into the medical bag without cleansing/disinfecting the blood pressure cuff. On 02/13/2024 at 3:34 PM, the PT was interviewed related to the agency policy on cleansing/disinfecting of reusable medical equipment. The PT verbalized that he did not know. The PT was also questioned about why a barrier was not placed before placing the medical bag on the couch. The PT responded that he did notice that and had eventually placed a barrier on the couch. On 02/15/2024, an e-mail was sent to patient 4's Regional Consultant (RC) related to the observations as listed above. The RC was asked what his response was to the observations. On 02/15/2024 the RC responded with, "The bag technique procedure recommends a barrier be used on each visit. Bag should be placed on the barrier. Any equipment that has been cleaned, should be placed on the clean barrier until dry and then returned to the bag." 2. On 02/13/2024 at approximately 3:30 PM, a Registered Nurse (RN) was observed while changing a dressing on patient 3's perianal wound. The RN removed a soiled dressing on the perianal wound, cleansed the wound with normal saline, then placed a new dressing over the wound without donning clean gloves. The RN was immediately interviewed after cares were provided related to not donning new gloves before applying a new dressing over the wound. The RN stated, "I thought I did." On 02/15/2024, an e-mail was sent to patient 4's RC related to the observations as listed above. The RC was asked what his response was to the observation. On 02/15/2024 the RC responded with, "Wound care procedure states to perform hand hygiene, put on gloves, remove old dressing carefully. Inspect soiled dressing and note amount of drainage. Discard soiled dressing. Remove and discard soiled gloves. Perform hand hygiene and put on new gloves."