Initial Comments:
Based on the findings of a complaint investigation survey conducted on April 22, 2026, Chericare, LLC., was found to be in compliance with the requirements of 28 Pa. Code, Health Facilities, Part IV, Chapter 51, Subpart A.
Plan of Correction:
Initial Comments:
Based on the findings of an onsite announced complaint investigation survey completed on April 22, 2026, Chericare, LLC., was found not to be in compliance with the requirements of 28 Pa. Code, Health Facilities, Part IV, Chapter 611, Subpart H. Home Care Agencies and Home Care Registries.
Plan of Correction:
611.56(a) LICENSURE
Health Screening
Name - Component - 00
(a) A home care agency or home care registry shall insure that each direct care worker and other office staff or contractors with direct consumer contact, prior to consumer contact, provide documentation that the individual has been screened for and is free from active mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Observations:
Based on a review of personnel files (PF), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, and an interview with the administrator, the agency did not conduct screening for mycobacterium tuberculosis according to guidelines prior to hire for three (3) of four (4) PFs. (PF# 1, 3, & 4)
Findings include:
In May 2019, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its recommendation for TB testing of health care personnel. The CDC guidelines state that all Health Care Workers (HCW) should receive 1) baseline tuberculosis screening upon hire using a two-step tuberculin skin test (TST) or a single blood assay for tuberculosis (TB) to test for infection with tuberculosis; 2) Completion of a tuberculosis symptom questionnaire, and 3) Completion of a tuberculosis risk assessment. After baseline testing for infection with tuberculosis, HCW's should receive TB screening annually. HCW's with a baseline positive or newly positive test for tuberculosis infections should receive one chest radiograph result to exclude tuberculosis disease (CDC Guidelines for Preventing Transmission of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Health Care Settings, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality World Report 2005, RR-17) (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5417.pdf).
*Baseline (preplacement) screening and testing, in addition to the IGRA (interferon-gamma release assay) or TST, shall include a symptom screen questionnaire and an individual TB risk assessment. Serial screening and testing not routinely recommended. Annual TB education is recommended. (CDC/MMWR/May 17, 2019/Vol. 68/No. 19).
A review of four (4) PF were reviewed on 4/22/26 at approximately 11:30 AM which revealed the following:
PF #1: Date of Hire: 4/6/26. File contained a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) result from 1/14/26 listed as " negative " . The TB results from 1/14/26 did not document the date when it was read versus given or what individual gave or read the results. Email from 4/22/26 between agency and PF#1 listed date of 1/14/26 and location of testing but was not together with the results page. In addition, the file did not contain a second TST result prior to hire.
PF #3: Date of Hire: 9/20/24, PF did not contain TB symptom questionnaire completed on hire. File contained TB risk assessment completed on hire but did not contain a date when completed.
PF#4: Date of Hire: 1/14/25. PF did not contain TB symptom questionnaire completed on hire. File contained TB risk assessment completed on hire but did not contain a date when completed.
An interview conducted with the administrator on 4/22/26 at approximately 1:30 PM confirmed the above findings.
Plan of Correction:The agency will ensure all TB results documentation includes the date when the TB test was given as well as when the TB results were read. The agency will also ensure that the documentation includes what individual gave the TB test and what individual read the TB results. The agency will ensure all documentation will be together in the PF's file.
PF#1 has been removed from the schedule effective 4/22/2026 until Quanti-FERON or 2 step T.S.T.is completed.
TB symptom questionnaire has been added to PF#3 and PF#4 files. The date has been added to the TB risk assessment for PF#3 and PF#4 files. The agency will ensure all PF's include a completed TB symptom questionnaire upon hire. The agency will ensure the TB risk assessment will include the date completed. All new hire files will be reviewed by either(HR Manager) or (Director of Operations) before the PF is scheduled to work.
All onboarding and administrative staff have been reeducated as of 4/23/2026 on:
TB screening requirements
Documentation standards
No clearance, no client contact regulation
Training will be reinforced during onboarding of new administrative staff
A Pre Hire Compliance check list has been implemented for all onboarding and was finalized by higher management on May 8, 2026.
The following individuals are responsible for implementation & oversight
HR Manager
Director of Operations
All updates will be completed by 6/19/2026
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