Every finding on record at Visiting Nurse Association of Erie County

Based on the findings of an onsite unannounced Medicare Recertification and State Licensure Survey conducted 2/23/2026 through 2/26/2026, Visiting Nurse Association of Erie County 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.

Based on the findings of an onsite unannounced Medicare Recertification and State Licensure Survey conducted 2/23/2026 through 2/26/2026, Visiting Nurse Association of Erie County was found not to be in compliance with the requirements of 42 CFR, Part 484, Subparts B and C, Conditions of Participation: 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 review of agency policy and procedure, observations (OBS) during home visits, and staff (EMP) interview, the agency failed to ensure staff followed infection control standards of practice for four (4) of seven (7) (OBS) providing direct care to patients (OBS1, OBS2, OBS3, OBS5,). Findings Included: Review of the agency policy and procedure was conducted on 02/23/2026 from approximately 11:00am to 12:00pm which revealed: Bag Technique…Procedure…Bag Technique 3. In order to keep the bag as clean as possible, bag is to be kept zipped. 4.When carrying bag into the home it is to be kept on the shoulder until a waterproof disposable barrier can be placed on a table or hard chair and placed on the clean side of the barrier...6...Employees must cleanse hands before entering/removing supplies from bag, before examination, and after patient care. 8. If additional supplies are needed during the visit, hands are to be cleansed before reentering the bag. Dressing change, clean technique...Procedure...8. Remove soiled dressing and discard in plastic bag/garbage can. 9. Remove gloves and discard in plastic bag/garbage can. 10. Wash and dry hands. 11. Put on second pair of gloves. OBS1 Consumer Record (CR1) on 02/24/2026 at approximately 8:30am waterproof barrier placed on couch and bag placed on top of it with equipment to obtain vital signs (stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and pulse oximeter) removed from the bag placed on second waterproof barrier placed on the couch. OBS2 CR2 on 02/24/2026 at approximately 9:30am. Barrier was not placed on hard surface where equipment was placed to obtain vital signs removed from bag for use. Policy does not address dry time for cleansing wipes and was not observed placing items back into the bag. OBS3 CR2 on 02/24/2026 at approximately 10:15am. Patient contact was made and then entry into bag to obtain equipment for vital signs without hand sanitizing. Once dry time observed and equipment for vital signs were returned to bag hand sanitizing was not completed after contact with surroundings prior to reentering bag. Bag was not kept closed when not in use. OBS5 CR4 on 02/25/2026 at approximately 9:45am Dry time was not observed before returning equipment for vital signs to the bag. Dressing change observed. Dressing removed from patient, gloves wear removed, new gloves put on to replace clean dressing without sanitizing hands between dirty dressing removal and clean dressing application. An exit interview was conducted with the Home Health Administrator and Quality Compliance Educator on 02/26/2026 at approximately 4:15 PM which confirmed the findings.