Every finding on record at New Mexico Healthcare Services, LLC

On behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an unannounced on-site Recertification survey conducted at Interim Healthcare of Portales Home Health Agency (HHA) on 10/13/22 found that your facility was in substantial compliance with the participation requirements under 42 CFR 484.102.

On behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), an unannounced on-site Recertification survey conducted at Interim Healthcare of Portales Home Health Agency (HHA) on 10/13/22 resulted in noncompliance under 42 CFR 484, Subpart A through C with the following standard-level deficiency cited:

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, the facility failed to maintain an ongoing infection control program that would prevent, identify, manage infections to ensure items utilized such as medical equipment/supplies for direct patient care are not used past expiration dates and not identified as being under an extended use authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This failed practice is likely to lead to infection control issues, failed treatment and delayed progression to meeting goals and potential bacterial growth due to using expired medical supplies can lead to cross contamination and increased spread of potentially infectious organisms, and places patients at risk for infections while in the facility. For expired items: A. On 10/12/22 at 4:00 pm, during tour of the medical supply room for the facility the following expired medical supplies was revealed: 1. Coag-Sense Low Control Strip (strip used to test a patient’s blood) X (times) 2 expiration date 11/2019. 2. Coag-Sense Low Control Strip X 2 expiration date 02/2020. 3. Coag-Sense High Control Strip X 2 expiration date 02/2021. 4. Coag-Sense High Control Strip X 1 expiration date 03/2020. 5. Swab Cover 1 bag (20) expiration date 04/01/22. 6. 4”x4” wound cover X1 expiration date 05/22. 7. Moisture Barrier Ointment with Aloe & Vitamin A&D X 1 box expiration date 08/22. 8. Suretrace Adult ECG Electrode (small, plastic, patches that stick to the skin) X1 expiration date 03/19/2021. 9. (PT)/INR Test Strip Kit (test for blood clotting) X1 expiration date 08/30/2021. B. On 10/13/22 at 8:30 am during interview with S (staff) 2 (Regional Vice President) who confirmed, “The document titled “Supply Review Log” cannot be located so I have to assume it was not done. We are going to implement a Performance Improvement Project (PIP) for this at our Quality meeting scheduled next week.” C. Record review of facility policy titled, “Coordination of Care/Services” not dated, in Chapter 6 under section titled, “Coordination of Medical Supplies for Skilled Services #5 stated “In the event that the facility is responsible for the coordination of supplies, the employee providing care/service on a regular basis the patient’s medical supply for: a) Expiration dates.”