Every finding on record at Compassionate Care Hospice of Southeastern Massachusetts LLC

Based on record review and staff interview, the agency failed to ensure Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) supervision by a Registered Nurse (RN) occurred every 30 days to ensure services were provided as per the plan of care (POC) for 2 patients (#15, #18), out of a total sample of 19 patients.Findings Include: --- Review of the agency policy entitled Supervision of Disciplines-RN/LPN, revised date 11/2019, included the following:*The Registered Nurse must supervise the LPN/LVN every 30 days, unless the state requirements are more stringent, which includes a visit to the patient home and the LPN/LVN may or may not be present.*The RN will perform an onsite supervisory visit with the LPN/LVN present at least every 12 months or as required by state regulations.1. Patient #15 was admitted to the agency in May 2025 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease.Review of the Hospice POC with benefit dates 5/3/25 through 7/31/25 and 8/1/25 through 10/29/25, indicated the following:-Skilled Nursing Visit (SNV) effective 5/4/25: two times a week for 13 weeks with 8 PRN (as needed) visits for symptoms management.Review of the clinical record indicated Patient # 15 was seen by an LPN on 7/25/25, 7/29/25, and 8/19/25.Further review of the clinical record indicated no documentation that RN supervision of an LPN occurred for the month of July 2025.2. Patient #18 was admitted to the agency in March 2025 with a diagnosis of senile degeneration of the brain.Review of the Hospice POC with benefit date 6/12/25 through 9/9/25, indicated the following:-SNV effective 6/12/25: one time a week for one week, then two times a week for 12 weeks, and then one time a week for one week, with 8 PRN visits for symptom management.Review of the clinical record indicated Patient #18 was seen by an LPN on 7/17/25, 7/24/25, 7/28/25, 8/5/25, 8/13/25, 8/19/25, and 8/26/25.Further review of the clinical record indicated no documentation that RN supervision of an LPN occurred for the months of July 2025 and August 2025.During an interview on 9/3/25 at 4:00 P.M., the Area VP of Clinical Services said that she was unable to find any documentation that RN supervisory visits for LPNs occurred.  She said it is the expectation and the policy of the agency that LPNs are supervised by the RN monthly.