Every finding on record at Medical Services of America Home Health

During the recertification survey conducted on August 6-12, 2024 at Medical Services of America, a home health agency, Emergency Preparedness was reviewed. Medical Services of America was in compliance with Emergency Preparedness per Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 42, Part 484.22, Condition of Participation for Home Health Agencies.

An unannounced recertification survey was conducted August 6-12, 2024, at Medical Services of America Home Health. This survey was conducted at the parent branch located at 3589 Cardinal Point Drive, Jacksonville Florida, and at its branch location located at 1265 West Granada Blvd, Ormond Beach, Florida. The home health agency was not in compliance with 42 CFR 484 Subpart A-C, Requirements for Home Health Agencies. .

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 policy review the home health agency failed to ensure staff followed accepted standards of practice for the appropriate use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer for hand hygiene, to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases for 1 out of 7 staff observed during home visits. (Staff member F, Occupational Therapist). The findings include: On 8/7/24 at 11:20 AM, a home visit was conducted at the residence of patient #4 with staff member F, an occupational therapist (OT). During the visit the OT was observed to don a clean pair of disposable gloves prior to obtaining the patient’s vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, respirations and body temperature. After documenting the patient’s vital signs, the OT was observed to apply alcohol-based sanitizer on his gloved hands and then begin assisting the patient with exercising her left arm. The OT was observed to use hand sanitizer on his gloved hands five times during the course of the 1-hour visit and was not observed to discard or change his gloves at any time. At the conclusion of the visit, after exiting the patient’s home, at approximately 12:30 PM, the OT was asked about the use of hand sanitizer on gloved hands to which he stated he was nervous and that he should not have used sanitizer on his gloved hands. On 8/7/24 at 5:15 PM, an interview was conducted with the Director of Professional Services during which she was asked if staff should be using alcohol-based hand sanitizer on gloved hands to which she stated, “Never”. She stated that she agreed that the OT was most likely nervous but that this was unacceptable. A review of the agency policy “Hand Hygiene HH4012” last revised 6/2024, states that “Alcohol-based Hand Rub: An alcohol-containing preparation designed for application to the hands for reducing the number viable microorganisms on the hands.” The policy states, “indications for hand hygiene include before and after direct contact with the patient”, “between different tasks or procedures on same patient”, “after contact with inanimate objects (include medical equipment) in the immediate vicinity of the patient”. Under the section “Other Hand Hygiene Guidelines” the policy states, “Change gloves during patient care if moving from a contaminated body site to a clean body site”.