Home Health United does well on state survey
State surveyors descended on Home Health United recently and found no deficiencies with the agency.
Federal regulations through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) require an audit of every home health agency a minimum of every three years for compliance with regulations for agencies billing Medicare and Medicaid. These surveys are unannounced and can occur more frequently. They also investigate complaints that are submitted to the Department of Quality Assurance by telephone, letters, or emails.
"Due to the size of our home health division, the surveyors must make at least 10 joint home visits with a variety of staff focusing mostly on nursing and home health aide services," explained Terri Peterson, vice president – clinical services. "During these home visits, they observe the care provided, watch for infection control, teaching of patients, compliance with physician orders, medication reconciliation, and that the home health aide is following the assignment sheet."
In addition to the visits, surveyors also audit a minimum of 25 clinical records. If they find any concerns, they can make more home visits or audit more clinical records.
"All of our policies were followed during the visits and patients expressed satisfaction with the care they were receiving," said Peterson.
Home Health United is a nonprofit agency that serves patients in 25 counties in southern Wisconsin. Services include: nursing, social services, home health aides, occupational, physical and speech therapy, home medical equipment and supplies, hospice, companion homemaker services, Meals on Wheels and Community Health and Wellness.
The agency is a member of the Home Health Quality Improvement (HHQI) National Campaign, a grassroots movement designed to unite home health agencies and other health care settings with the goals of reducing avoidable hospitalizations and improving medication management along with disease management and teaching patients to self management their chronic conditions or diseases.