Every finding on record at Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care of Connecticut, LLC

Observed in Patient Home. In 2 of 4 home visits conducted, The HCO staff failed to use standard infection prevention and control precautions at times required by the organization's policy. For example, on HV #1/RR #1, the surveyor observed the chaplain making direct patient contact without conducting hand hygiene prior to and after. And on HV #3/RR #3, the Registered Nurse was observed completing the patient’s physical assessment, examining the patient’s feet, moving to the upper body, assessing the buttocks and then repositioning without changing gloves in between and conducting hand hygiene. The organization’s hand washing policy, number 4003, requires hand hygiene be performed prior to direct patient contact, when moving from contaminated to clean body areas, and for personnel who do not provide hands-on patient care to have a waterless antiseptic agent in their possession for times of direct patient contact. These findings were reviewed, discussed, and confirmed with the Clinical Manager.

Observed in Patient Home. The HCO did not ensure the patient’s facility record contain documentation pertinent to hospice care, for example, the surveyor noted in HV #1/RR #1 the facility’s hospice record for the patient did not contain up-to-date care plan documents. The last form was dated for July 2022. The organization’s policy, IDG Meeting Process 2063, requires the RN Case Manager to place updated copies of the Interdisciplinary Group documents in the patient’s facility chart following each meeting update. These findings were reviewed, discussed and confirmed with the Clinical Manager.

Observed in Patient Home. In 2 of 2 home visits conducted, The HCO did not take actions to ensure safe storage of the patient’s oxygen cylinders. For example, on HV #2/RR #2, the surveyor observed the patient’s oxygen cylinder shut up in the room closet, not secured in a holder and on HV #4/RR #4, three cylinders were observed, two sitting on the floor and one leaning against the wall in front of a fireplace. None were secured in racks. The patient caregiver stated the fireplace is “never used anymore”. Standards require the organization take actions to identify and minimize risks to patient safety, including providing education as necessary. This finding was reviewed, discussed and validated by the Clinical Manager.