Deficiency Index

Every finding on record at Valley Med Home Health Care, LLC

Allentown, Pennsylvania · CCN 398319

8 findings across 2 surveys, in the inspector's own words.

The inspector’s own words from form CMS-2567, unedited, including CMS’s own spacing. Names and some dates are redacted by CMS.

Survey of February 6, 2026

5 findings
E0000

Based on the findings of an unannounced onsite federal recertification survey completed February 5, 2026, Valley Med Home Health Care, Llc. was found to be in compliance with the requirements of 42 CFR, Part 484.22, Subpart B, Conditions of Participation: Home Health Agencies - Emergency Preparedness.

G0000

Based on the findings of an unannounced onsite federal recertification survey completed February 5, 2026, Valley Med Home Health Care, Llc. was found not to be in compliance with the following requirements of 42 CFR, Part 484, Subparts B and C, Conditions of Participation: Home Health Agencies.

G0572

Plan of care CFR(s): 484.60(a)(1) Each patient must receive the home health services that are written in an individualized plan of care that identifies patient-specific measurable outcomes and goals, and which is established, periodically reviewed, and signed by a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, or podiatry acting within the scope of his or her state license, certification, or registration. If a physician or allowed practitioner refers a patient under a plan of care that cannot be completed until after an evaluation visit, the physician or allowed practitioner is consulted to approve additions or modifications to the original plan. This STANDARD is not met as evidenced by: Based on a review of agency policy, a review of clinical records, and an interview with the agency Administrator, the agency failed to ensure that services ordered by a nurse practitioner included a collaborating or supervising physician identified in the patients written plan of treatment for one (1) of seven (7) clinical records (CR) reviewed that included orders by a nurse practitioner (CR#1). 'House Bill No. 2401, Session of 2022' section (2) " Home health care services may be ordered by nurse practitioners and physician assistants as provided under section 1814(a) and 1835(a) of the Social Security Act (49, Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 1395 et. seg.), if the nurse practitioners (CRNP) or physician assistants (PA) collaborating or supervising physician is identified in the patients written plan of treatment. ... " Agency policy/procedure reviewed on February 5, 2026 at approximately 1:45 p.m. Policy 'Supervision When the physician Listed on Plan of Treatment is a CRNP or PA' 'Policy Statement' "If the physician identified on the plan of treatment is a CRNP or PA, the following supervision requirements must be met: 'Supervisory Physician Identification:' The plan of treatment must clearly identify the supervising physician responsible for overseeing the CRNP or PA." 'Documentation:' All plans of treatment must include the name, credentials, and contact information of both the CRNP/PA and their supervising physician." A review of CRs was completed on February 5, 2026 at approximately 1:45 p.m. The patients start of care (SOC) is listed below. CR#1 SOC 02/03/26: Verbal order from a nurse practitioner was taken by a registered nurse on 02/03/26 for the certification period 02/03/26 - 04/03/26. The nurse practitioners collaborating/supervising physician was not identified in the patients written plan of treatment. An interview conducted with agency Administrator on February 5, 2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m. confirmed the above findings.

G0684

Infection control CFR(s): 484.70(b)(1)(2) Standard: Control. The HHA must maintain a coordinated agency-wide program for the surveillance, identification, prevention, control, and investigation of infectious and communicable diseases that is an integral part of the HHA's quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) program. The infection control program must include: (1) A method for identifying infectious and communicable disease problems; and (2) A plan for the appropriate actions that are expected to result in improvement and disease prevention. This STANDARD is not met as evidenced by: Based on a review of agency policy, review of employee files, and an interview with the agency Administrator, the agency failed to conduct TB (tuberculosis) testing and/or TB screening, per policy, for five (5) out of seven (7) employee files (EFs) initial documentation reviewed (EF#3 - EF#7). Agency policy/procedure reviewed on February 5, 2026 at approximately 1:45 p.m. Policy 'Employees Health Assessments' 'Procedure' " ... (B) "The written health assessment report shall: .... (4) Tuberculosis screening shall be required for staff with direct patient contact as follows: (a) A baseline TB screening upon hire, using a two-step TST (tuberculin skin test) or a single BAMT (blood assay for Mycobacterium tuberculosis) to test for infection with M. tuberculosis. .... (d) ..... After baseline testing, tuberculosis screening must: (i) Be completed annually; (ii) if no exposure to TB is suspected a TB questionnaire may be utilized to determine the need for a TST. .... " A review of EFs was conducted on February 4, 2026 at approximately 11:00 a.m. The employees date of hire (DOH) is listed below. EF#3 DOH 11/05/24: Documentation provided of a one-step TST being conducted on 06/21/24. No documentation provided of the second-step TST being conducted. EF#4 DOH 11/26/24: Documentation provided of a one-step TST being conducted on 11/19/24. No documentation provided of the second-step TST being conducted. No documentation provided of a 2025 TB symptom screening questionnaire. EF#5 DOH 11/13/24: No documentation provided of a 2025 TB symptom screening questionnaire. EF#6 DOH 10/25/24: No documentation provided of a 2025 TB symptom screening questionnaire. EF#7 DOH 10/23/23: No documentation provided of a 2024 TB symptom screening questionnaire. An interview conducted with agency Administrator on February 5, 2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m. confirmed the above findings.

G0760

Classroom and supervised practical training CFR(s): 484.80(b)(1) Home health aide training must include classroom and supervised practical training in a practicum laboratory or other setting in which the trainee demonstrates knowledge while providing services to an individual under the direct supervision of a registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse who is under the supervision of a registered nurse. Classroom and supervised practical training must total at least 75 hours. This ELEMENT is not met as evidenced by: Based on a review of agency policy, review of employee files, and an interview with the agency Administrator, the agency failed to ensure home health aides completed a minimum of 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training, per policy, for one (1) of one (1) employee files (EF) reviewed (EF#7). Agency policy/procedure reviewed on February 5, 2026 at approximately 1:45 p.m. Policy 'Certified Nursing Aide/Home Health Aide' 'Qualifications/Educational Requirements' "A qualified home health aide is a person who has successfully completed: (1) A training and competency evaluation program as specified in this policy; or (2) A nurse aide training and competency evaluation program approved by the state as meeting the requirements of Chapter 483.151 through Chapter 484.154 of this chapter, and is currently listed in good standing on the state nurse aide registry; or (3) The requirements of a state licensure program that meets the provisions of the training and competency requirements. " (A) Training Requirement: Content and duration of home health aide classroom and supervised practical training. (1) .... Classroom and supervised practical training must total at least 75 hours. .... (4) The HHA must maintain documentation that demonstrates that the requirements of this standard have been met. (B) Competency Requirement: An individual may furnish home health aide services on behalf of an HHA only after that individual has successfully completed a competency evaluation program as described in this section. ...." A review of EFs was conducted on February 4, 2026 at approximately 11:00 a.m. The employees date of hire (DOH) is listed below. EF#7 DOH 10/23/23: Employees first work shift as a home health aide was on 10/30/23. No documentation provided of the employee meeting the agency policy requirements of a minimum of (75) hours of a combination of classroom and supervised practical training. An interview conducted with agency Administrator on February 5, 2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m. confirmed the above findings.

Survey of February 14, 2023

3 findings
E0000

Based on the findings of an unannounced on-site state re-licensure survey completed February 14, 2023, Valley Med Home Health Care, Llc. was found to be in compliance with the requirements of 42 CFR, Part 484.22, Subpart B, Conditions of Participation: Home Health Agencies - Emergency Preparedness.

G0000

Based on the findings of an unannounced on-site federal recertification survey completed February 14, 2023, Valley Med Home Health Care, Llc. was found not to be in compliance with the following requirements of 42 CFR, Part 484, Subparts B and C, Conditions of Participation: Home Health Agencies.

G0514

RN performs assessment CFR(s): 484.55(a)(1) A registered nurse must conduct an initial assessment visit to determine the immediate care and support needs of the patient; and, for Medicare patients, to determine eligibility for the Medicare home health benefit, including homebound status. The initial assessment visit must be held either within 48 hours of referral, or within 48 hours of the patient's return home, or on the physician or allowed practitioner - ordered start of care date. This ELEMENT is not met as evidenced by: Based on a review of agency policy, review of clinical records, and an interview with the agency Administrator, the agency failed to complete the initial assessment visit within 48 hours of referral, or within 48 hours of the patients return home, or on the physician-ordered start of care date (SOC), for two (2) of seven (7) clinical records (CR) referral documentation reviewed (CR#3, CR#5). Findings: A review of agency Policy/Procedure was conducted on February 14, 2023 at approximately 3:00 p.m. Policy '1-009.1', 'Admission Criteria' 'Procedure' (8) states "Upon referral, the decision regarding acceptance of and initiation of service by licensed staff will be made within 48 hours of the referral, or within 48 hours of the patients return home or knowledge of return home, or on the physicians ordered start of care date." A review of CR's conducted on February 14, 2023 at approximately 12:30 p.m. revealed the following: CR#3 SOC 12/29/22: Referral from (Hospital) for skilled nursing services, physical therapy services, and occupational therapy services on 12/16/22. Agency referral 'Response History' includes message from agency "Yes, willing to accept patient." Senders Message to you (Agency)' " Thanks (......), we will place with you. ......... Patient will discharge Thursday 12/22." Documentation of initial assessment visit by registered nurse on 12/29/22. CR#5 SOC 11/27/22: Documentation provided of a 'History and Physical' sent to the agency by a physician. No documentation provided of a referral for home health care services for this patient. An interview conducted with the agency Administrator on February 14, 2023 at approximately 3:15 p.m. confirmed the above findings.

← Back to the Valley Med Home Health Care, LLC record

Federal survey findings only. State licensure findings for home health agencies are not shown.

Deficiency Index is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by CMS, Medicare, or any government agency. About this data · Report a correction