Nursing agency earns zero-deficiency rating
CARIBOU — Professional Home Nursing-Skilled Home Care Agency recently received a deficiency-free home health care agency survey rating by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, Licensing and Regulatory Services.
Licensing and Regulatory Services periodically reviews home health care agencies, hospitals and skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and to assess the quality of care provided.
According to PHN Administrator Katherine Anderson, the surveyors arrived unannounced on Sept. 6 and began an immediate, thorough review of clinical documentation, administrative and clinical procedures, employee files, quality data and outcomes, collection and contracts. In addition, they conducted interviews with clinicians and went on home visits to assess care provided in the home with client’s prior consent, Anderson added.
At the conclusion of the two days’ survey, Professional Home Nursing was found to be in full compliance with all conditions and regulations of quality skilled home health care.
“Regulations are getting increasingly stringent and rapidly changing; achieving a deficiency-free rating is extremely difficult to accomplish. The results demonstrate that we have dedicated and talented clinicians and support staff who are committed to our agency, our clients and families who rely on us for professional, high quality care,” said Ginette Pitre, RN quality manager for the agency.
“The quality care we provide is not only demonstrated by a deficiency-free survey but also a current 4/5 stars rating on Home Health Compare which exceeds the state and national average. We provide the quality care we would want for ourselves and loved ones,” Pitre said.
Professional Home Nursing has served central Aroostook County for over 20 years.
Anderson reminds the public to be aware that they have a choice as a client/patient to choose which agency they want to come into their home and provide them with services.
“Whether it is an admission at the hospital, rehab facility, doctor’s visit, please remember you have the right to choose as a client and the choice options should be offered to you every time. If you do not remember our name, we are also known by the ‘Red Heart’ because we truly care from the bottom of our hearts,” Anderson said.
For more information or to see the survey results, call PNH at 498-3915.
