| Statement of Deficiencies | (X1) Provider/Supplier/CLIA Identification Number 017027 | (X3) Date Survey Completed 05/22/2025 |
| Name of Provider or Supplier Hga Homecare, Llc | Street Address, City, State 2050 Beltline Rd Sw, Decatur, AL | |
| For information on the provider's plan to correct this deficiency, please contact the provider or the state survey agency. | ||
| (X4) ID Prefix Tag | Summary Statement of Deficiencies
(Each deficiency should be preceded by full regulatory or LSC identifying information) |
| G0682 | Infection Prevention CFR(s): 484.70(a) Standard: Infection Prevention. The HHA must follow accepted standards of practice, including the use of standard precautions, to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases. This STANDARD is not met as evidenced by: Based on observation, agency policy and procedure, and interview, it was determined the home health agency failed to ensure staff followed standard precautions for infection control while performing wound care. This deficient practice affected Home Visit (HV) # 5, one of five HV's conducted for a patient with a wound, and had the potential to affect all patients served by this agency. Findings include: Agency Policy: Hand Hygiene Policy Number: 8.004 Revised Date: 05/01/19 Purpose: To help prevent the spread of microorganisms and infection by cross-contamination and to provide practice guidelines. Policy: Staff are required to perform hand hygiene prior to, at specified time points during, and following patient contact... Procedure: 1. Staff performs hand hygiene by handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol based hand sanitizer: ...c. after contact with blood, body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes, non-intact skin, wound dressings... ...e. after contact with inanimate objects (including medical equipment)... ...f. before and after removal of personal protective equipment (PPE) 1. HV # 5 was admitted for home health services on 3/28/25 with a primary diagnosis of Chronic Diastolic (Congestive) Heart Failure. HV # 5 had multiple venous stasis ulcers to his/her bilateral lower extremities. Review of the Home Health Certification and Plan of Care for certification period 3/28/25 to 5/26/25 revealed orders for the skilled nurse (SN) to visit one time a week for nine weeks and perform wound care each visit as follows: Cleanse wound with wound cleanser and gauze. Pat dry with gauze. Cover wound bed with Xeroform (gauze), Calcium Alginate, and absorbent pad. Wrap with rolled gauze and Coflex using clean technique. A HV was conducted on 5/20/25 at 2:37 PM to observe care provided by Employee Identifier (EI) # 4, Registered Nurse (RN). EI # 4 performed hand hygiene and applied gloves to perform wound care which included utilizing scissors. Immediately upon completion of wound care, EI # 4 was observed cleaning his/her scissors with a sanitizing wipe wearing the same gloves worn during the wound care. EI # 4 failed to remove his/her gloves and perform hand hygiene after contact with the wound. An interview was conducted on 5/22/25 with EI # 2, Area Administrator, who confirmed the SN did not follow policy and perform hand hygiene after performing wound care. |