Every finding on record at Preston Memorial Homecare, LLC

An emergency preparedness survey was conducted at Preston Memorial Homecare from 2/8/22 to 2/9/22. The agency is in compliance with the Emergency Preparedness Conditions of Participation with no deficiencies cited as a result of the survey.

A recertification survey was conducted at Preston Memorial Homecare from 2/8/22 to 2/9/22. The agency provides skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and medical social work services for Preston, Tucker, Taylor and Barbour counties. At the time of the survey the agency had a patient census of one hundred eighty-three (183). The unduplicated admissions for the past year were four hundred and eleven (411). Eleven (11) medical records were reviewed, three (3) home visits were made and four (4) staff members were interviewed. One (1) standard level deficiency was cited at G 682.

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 and staff interview it was determined the home health agency failed to ensure all staff followed acceptable standards of practice to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases. This failure was identified in two (2) of three (3) home visits completed (patients #1 and 3). This failure has the potential to adversely affect all patients who receive care in their home. A home visit was conducted with the Occupational Therapist (OT) on 2/8/22 at approximately 2:15 p.m. During the home visit, the OT checked the patient's vital signs and laid the dirty equipment on a barrier on the sofa. After cleaning the stethoscope, the OT placed the stethoscope onto a clean barrier with the supply bag. The tubing from the stethoscope was touching the sofa after being placed on the clean barrier. All other cleaned equipment was placed with the stethoscope. A home visit was conducted with the Physical Therapist (PT) on 2/9/22 at approximately 10:10 a.m. During the home visit, the PT laid down barriers on the sofa to place the equipment on. The PT placed the supply bag half on and half off the clean barrier. After the PT checked the patient's vital signs, the PT cleaned the thermometer, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) and pulse oximetry and laid it on the barrier with the staff supply bag. The cuff of the sphygmomanometer was touching the sofa. An interview was conducted with the Administrator on 2/9/22 at 12:30 p.m. The Administrator concurred staff failed to follow acceptable standards of practice to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases.