Every finding on record at Alliance United Hospice Care LLC

Based on record review and interviews, the agency failed to ensure the comprehensive assessment was completed no later than 5 days after the election of benefits for 4 (1, 3, 6, 9) of 10 active patients reviewed. This failure placed the patients at risk of having an inadequate plan of care and receiving inappropriate or inadequate care. --- Findings: Record review of patient 1s medical record revealed informed consents signed 5/16/24. The psychosocial assessment was not done until 5/22/24. The spiritual and bereavement assessments were not done until 5/24/24. Record review of patient 3s medical record revealed informed consents signed 5/16/24. The psychosocial assessment was not done until 5/24/24. Record review of patient 6s medical record revealed informed consents signed 3/20/24. The psychosocial assessment was not located in the medical record. Record review of patient 9s medical record revealed informed consents signed 7/14/23. The psychosocial assessment was not done until 7/22/23. In an interview 7/18/24 at 2:30 p.m., the surveyor asked why the SW and Chaplain hadnt completed the initial assessments in the 5-day period. The Administrator stated, ";they [SW/ Chaplain] are assigned the visits in the EMR and notified via text. They [SW/ Chaplain] are supposed to make the visits." The Administrator then instructed the office manager to remove the scheduling ability from the SW and chaplain EMR status. In an interview 7/19/24 at 11:50 a.m., surveyor spoke with Chaplain B regarding the spiritual and bereavement assessments. Chaplain B stated, ";Im assigned a visit." When asked if he was able to reschedule the visit in the EMR Chaplain B stated, ";I have to let the office know. I will document if I am unable to make a visit in 5 days." In an interview 7/19/24 at 12:40 p.m., the surveyor spoke with SW A regarding the psychosocial assessment. SW A stated, ";Im assigned a visit. [I] try to go within 5 days usually the next day. If were unable to meet the client [were] supposed to do a communication note. I dont know why a comprehensive assessment wouldnt be done in 5 days." The agency had a policy (PE.5) titled, ";Patient Assessments" dated 1/31/24. The policy read in parts: ";...Purpose: To provide regulatory guidelines for the initial assessment, comprehensive assessment, and updates to the comprehensive assessment of the patient. Policy: ...II. The Hospice will conduct and document in writing a patient-specific comprehensive assessment that identifies the patients need for hospice care and services, and the patients need for physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual care. A. The Interdisciplinary Group (IDG/IDT) in consultation with the patients attending physician (if any), will complete the comprehensive assessment no later than 5 calendar days after the election of the hospice benefit..."