Deficiency Index

Every finding on record at VNA Home Health & Hospice

South Portland, Maine · CCN 201502

6 findings across 1 survey, in the inspector's own words.

The inspector’s own words from form CMS-2567, unedited, including CMS’s own spacing. Names and some dates are redacted by CMS.

Survey of August 22, 2024

6 findings
K0324

Based on observation and interview, the Hospice care facility failed to maintain the proper shutoff mechanism for the preparing /cooking meals on commercial or residential equipment per NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2012 Edition, Chapter 18 Section 18.3.2.5.3 Finding: Based on interview and observation on 08/22/2024 between hours of 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. this surveyor accompanied with the Building owner and safety officer did observe the following: 1. The Stove in the Kitchen did not have the proper shutoff requirements per the code requirements set forth for cooking appliance. During interview it was confirmed with the safety officer, that the facility had removed the gas stove and replaced it with an electric stove and never reconnected the interlock which is required to turn off the electrical power to the new appliance when the suppression system activates nor has the facility added a safety switch in accordance with 18.3.2.5.3 (9) (A),(B) and (C). This deficient practice could affect the resident, visitors and staff. This was observed at the time by this surveyor along with the Building Owner and Safety Officer.

K0916

Based on observations and interview, the facility failed to ensure that the generator had a remote annunciator at a location that could be monitored 24 hours a day while facility was on auxiliary generator power Per NFPA 99, (2012) 6.4.1.1.17. Findings: Based on interview and observation on 08/22/2024 between hours of 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. this surveyor accompanied with Building Owner and Safety Officer did observe the following: 1. No generator annunciator panel at a readily observed location by operating personnel at a regular workstation such as a nurse's station. When this surveyor asked the Safety Officer and Building Owner if they had a remote annunciator at any nurse's station. The Safety Officer and Building Owner informed this surveyor that they did not have one. The surveyor confirmed these observations with the Safety Officer and Building Owner at the time of the observation.

K0923

K923 Gas Equipment - Cylinder and Container StorageBased on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure that Cylinder and Container Storage areas were safeguarded in accordance with NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities code, 2012 edition, section 5.1.3.3.2 and 5.1.3.3.3 in 1 Oxygen storage closet inspected in the facility. Findings Include: Based on interview and observation on 08/22/2024 between hours of 10:00 am and 1:00 pm. this surveyor accompanied with the Safety Officer and Building Owner did observe the following: storage of oxygen exceeds the allotted quantity in the oxygen storage room located in the corridor next to the nurse's station. 13 E tanks exceed 300 Cubic feet of storage for the room. This finding was verified by the Safety Officer and Building Owner at the time of the observation.

L0555

Based on document reviews and interviews, the hospice failed to ensure that the care and services were provided in accordance with the plan of care for one (1) of twenty-one (21) patients (Patient #8). --- Finding: The plan of care dated 5/26/2024 to 7/24/2024 ordered Skilled Nursing (SN) visits one (1) time a week for eight (8) weeks and Hospice Aide visits three (3) times a week for eight (8) weeks. There was no documentation that the week of 5/26/2024 that a SN visit was made and no documentation that the Hospice Aide visit was made. This finding was confirmed by the Clinical Manager 2 on 8/21/2024 at approximately 1:05 PM.

L0629

Based on document reviews and interviews, the hospice failed to ensure that a registered nurse made an on-site visit to the patient's home no less frequently than every fourteen (14) days to assess the quality of care and services provided by the Hospice Aide for one (1) of fourteen (14) patients. (Patient #9) --- Finding: The review of the medical record for patient #9 revealed that the plan of care for 5/23/2024 to 8/20/2024 ordered Hospice Aide two (2) times a week for twelve (12) weeks and then on 8/18/2024 the frequency changed to one (1) time a week for the remainder of the certification period. The weeks of 6/16/2024, 6/30/2024, 7/14/2024, 7/28/2024 and 8/11/2024 there was no documentation that the Registered Nurse had made an on-site visit to the patient's home to supervise the Hospice Aide. This was confirmed by the Clinical Manager 2 on 8/21/2024 at approximately 1:07 PM.

L0683

Based on document reviews, interviews, and observations, the hospice failed to ensure discharge summaries were sent to the physicians assuming responsibility for the patients care after discharge for two (2) out of ten (10) patient discharge summaries reviewed (Patient #18 & Patient #2-Discharge [";Patient #2D"]). --- Findings: Northern Light Home Care & Hospices policy titled, ";Criteria for Patient Acceptance, Continuation of Services, & Discharge – Hospice," dated 02/07/2023 states in part, ";...The purpose of the discharge plan is to coordinate the provision of services designed to meet the psychosocial and physical needs of the patient whose prognosis changes, no longer meets the admission criteria, is discharged for cause or revokes..." Northern Light Home Care & Hospices policy titled, ";Discontinuation of Services for Cause," dated 02/07/2023 states in part, ";...If the Agency is able to identify other health care professionals who may be involved in in the patients care after discharge occurs these individuals will be notified of discharge, when it becomes imminent..." A review of Patient #18s medical record revealed that when Patient #18 discharged from hospice services on 09/01/2023, the patients discharge summary was sent to Hospice Physician #1, but the discharge summary was not sent to Patient #18s Primary Care Physician who would be assuming responsibility for the patients care after discharge. On 08/21/2024 at 1 PM, the Registered Nurse (";RN") Clinical Manager confirmed that per the medical record, when Patient #18 was discharged from hospice services on 09/01/2023, the patients discharge summary was forwarded to the Hospice Physician #1 instead of being forwarded to the patients Primary Care Physician who would be assuming responsibility for the patients care after discharge. The RN Clinical Manager confirmed on 08/21/2024 at 1:11 PM, that the patients discharge summary was only sent to Hospice Physician #1. A review of Patient #2Ds medical record revealed that when Patient #2D was discharged from hospice services on 03/04/2024, the patients discharge summary was sent to Hospice Physician #2, but the discharge summary was not sent to Patient #2Ds Oncologist who would be assuming responsibility for the patients care after discharge. On 08/21/2024 at 2:23 PM, the RN Clinical Manager confirmed that per the medical record, when Patient #2D was discharged from hospice services on 03/04/2024, the patients discharge summary was forwarded to the Hospice Physician #2 instead of being forwarded to the patients Oncologist who would be assuming responsibility for the patients care after discharge. On 08/21/2024 at 2:25 PM, the RN Clinical Manager confirmed that Patient #2Ds Oncologist did not receive a copy of the discharge summary when the patient was discharged.

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Federal survey findings only. State licensure findings for hospices are not shown.

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