Tidalhealth Home Care

The Home Health Agency (HHA) failed to establish a Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Program that complies with all applicable Federal Emergency Preparedness requirements that were based off the agency's all hazard risk assessment and patient population it serves.

The HHA failed to perform an all-hazards risk assessment to develop and implement an EP plan.

The HHA failed to ensure the plan included cooperation and collaboration with local, tribal, regional, State, and Federal emergency officials.

The HHA failed to develop EP policies and procedures that align with the identified hazards within the facility's risk assessment.

The HHA failed to develop and implement policies and procedures to address emergency staffing needs and the need for volunteers during an emergency.

The HHA failed to include policies and procedures to address an emergency communication plan during an emergency.

The HHA failed to develop and implement policies and procedures for a communication plan that included all the required names and contact information.

The HHA failed to develop and implement policies and procedures for a communication plan that included all the required contact information.

The HHA failed to develop and implement policies and procedures for a communication plan including an alternate means of communication in the event of an emergency.

The HHA failed to develop and implement policies and procedures to develop and maintain an EP training and testing program, including how the agency would communicate the agency's closure during an emergency.

The HHA failed to develop and implement policies and procedures to develop and maintain an emergency preparedness training including initial training to all new and existing staff, to staff providing services under contract, and volunteers.

The HHA failed to perform a Criminal Background Check (CBC) for one (Medical Director) of one physician personnel files reviewed.

The HHA failed to perform a Criminal Background Check (CBC) for one (Medical Social Worker (MSW)7) of one social worker personnel files reviewed.

For 84 of 84 current patients, the agency failed to have policies/procedures that addressed the use of volunteers or role for integration of State and Federally designated health care professionals to address surge needs during an emergency.

For 1 of 7 patients (Patient #10) observed during a home visit, the agency staff failed to adhere to accepted standards of practice regarding infection prevention and hand hygiene.