Every finding on record at Vitacare Home Health Inc

Based on the findings of an unannounced onsite Medicare recertification survey completed August 23, 2023, Vitacare Home Health, Inc. 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 unannounced onsite Medicare recertification survey completed August 23, 2023, Vitacare Home Health, Inc. 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.

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, agency failed to ensure home health aides completed a minimum of 75 hours of classroom and supervised practical training for two (2) out of two (2) home health aide employee files (EF) reviewed (EF#7, EF#8). Findings Include: Agency policy reviewed August 23, 2023 at approximately 2:00 p.m. Policy 'Employees Training' states: Vitacare will conduct training for Home Health Aides and Personal Care Assistants based on nationally accepted standards approved by federal and state rules ......" 'Procedure' section (4) states: "Initial training (40 hours for Personal Care Aides; 75 hours for Home Health Aides) is conducted within the first three months of employment ...." (Note: Policy provided does not address the requirement of home health aides completing classroom and supervised practical training, totaling at least 75 hours.) A review of EFs was conducted on August 21, 2023 at approximately 1:30 p.m. The employees date of hire (DOH) is listed below: EF#7 DOH 12/01/21: Documentation provided of a 'Certificate of Training' dated 11/30/21, "This certifies that (EF#7) has completed the (75) hours HHA Training Course and is awarded the certificate by Vitacare Home Health, Inc." Additional documentation was requested to ensure the (75) hours, classroom and supervised practical training, were completed. The following documentation was provided: 'Confirmation of Training Completion' states 'I have been trained to the Personal Care Services .... and lists (7) subjects. Signed by employee on 11/29/21. 'Skilled Checklist for PCA Personal Care Aide' lists (11) subjects, signed by employee on 11/29/21. 'Policy and Procedure Checklist-Performance Home Health Aide' lists (45) subjects, signed employee on 11/29/21 and signed by a registered nurse on 11/29/21. 'Training Certificate' awarded to (EF#7) "For successfully completing a training course for 'Home Health Aide Competency Evaluation Test' awarded this '30' day of November, 2021, signed by a registered nurse, awarded by Vitacare Home Health." 'Test Result Form' containing (30) questions signed by EF#7 on 11/29/21 and initialed by registered nurse stating "Passed." No documentation provided of the employee completing a minimum of (75) hours of classroom and supervised practical training. EF#8 DOH 01/08/22: Documentation provided of a 'Certificate of Training' dated 12/21/21, "This certifies that (EF#8) has completed the (75) hours HHA Training Course and is awarded the certificate by Vitacare Home Health, Inc." Additional documentation was requested to ensure the (75) hours, classroom and supervised practical training, were completed. The following documentation was provided: 'Confirmation of Training Completion' states 'I have been trained to the Personal Care Services .... and lists (7) subjects. Signed by employee on 12/27/21. 'Policy and Procedure Checklist-Performance' Home Health Aide' lists (45) subjects, signed employee on 12/27/21 and signed by a registered nurse on 12/27/21. 'Training Certificate' awarded to (EF#8) "For successfully completing a training course for 'Home Health Aide Competency Evaluation Test' awarded this '21' day of December, 2021, signed by a registered nurse, awarded by Vitacare Home Health." 'Test Result Form' containing (30) questions signed by EF#7 on 12/27/21 and "Passed" was written on the form. No documentation provided of the employee completing a minimum of (75) hours of classroom and supervised practical training. An interview conducted with agency Administrator on August 23, 2023 at approximately 2:45 p.m. confirmed the above findings