VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire earns perfect score on state survey
NORTH ADAMS - The Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Northern Berkshire, the home health agency of Northern Berkshire Healthcare, passed a Department of Public Health survey with a perfect score for the agency.“We are very proud of the staff at VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire,” said Wendy Dubis, Executive Director. “Without them, this would not have been possible. This is a wonderful accomplishment for the agency, and further demonstrates our commitment to quality in all aspects of our work.”
Rick Palmisano, President and CEO of Northern Berkshire Healthcare, congratulated the VNA & Hospice staff. “They are to be commended for leading the way in quality home health and hospice care in our area,” Palmisano said. “This is a reflection of the sincere caring and compassion that the agency is known for.”
The team of two surveyors from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health arrived on March 20 to conduct a Medicare Certification Survey and a state of Massachusetts licensing survey.
Surveys are conducted at least every three years at unannounced times and are performed to insure that Massachusetts home health agencies are in compliance with regulations governing home health as established by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and the state of Massachusetts. The survey covers the Medicare Conditions of Participation regarding patient rights, state, federal, and local law compliance, the patient’s nursing and/or rehab plan of care, home health aide services, clinical records, OASIS reporting, and a comprehensive assessment of all patients.
The State Licensing Surveys involve the review of patient records, agency policies and procedures, governing body oversight, and agency performance improvement plan. Home visits are included in this survey.
During the survey, patient records and agency personnel files were reviewed and seven joint home visits were conducted. After five days of intense survey, the VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire, Inc. was found to have no deficiencies in any areas.
VNA & Hospice services include home health care, hospice, parent/child health, and pediatric palliative care. With a staff of 70 employees, the agency provides members of our community with a continuum of care from birth throughout their lives. The VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire is a member of the Northern Berkshire Healthcare family, which includes North Adams Regional Hospital, Sweet Brook Transitional Care & Living Centers, Sweetwood Continuing Care Retirement Community, and the REACH Community Health Foundation.
