SAFE AND SWEET HOME CARE, LLC
Health Inspection Results For:
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Initial Comments:
Based on the findings of an offsite unannounced state complaint investigation on June 1, 2026 and June 2, 2026, Safe and Sweet Home Care, LLC, was found to not 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 provide documentation that a direct care worker was screened for and free from active mycobacterium tuberculosis, in accordance with CDC guidelines, for five (5) of five (5) PF's reviewed, (PF #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.)
Findings include:
In May 2019, the CDC updated its recommendations for TB testing of health care personnel. The CDC guidelines state that all Health Care Workers (HCW) should: 1: receive baseline tuberculosis screening upon hire by using: a two-step tuberculin skin test (TST), a single blood assay for tuberculosis (TB), or a negative chest x-ray 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, HCWs should receive TB education annually. HCWs with a baseline positive test for tuberculosis infections should receive one chest radiograph result to exclude tuberculosis disease. CDC Guidelines for preventing the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health care settings, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality World Report 2005;(5-16-19)
A review of PF's was conducted on June 1, 2026 at approximately 3:00 pm and June 2, 2026 at approximately 8:30 AM revealed:
PF# 1 Date of Hire: 04/12/2023, file contained completed negative Quantiferon test dated 04/02/2023 but did not contain any documentation of completion of a tuberculosis symptom questionnaire/risk assessment on hire.
PF #2, Date of Hire: 3/17/2025, file contained a completed negative Quantiferon test dated 03/12/2025, but did not contain any documentation of completion of a tuberculosis symptom questionnaire/risk assessment on hire.
PF #3, Date of Hire: 09/25/2025, file contained a completed negative two- step PPD dated 09/15/2025 and 09/25/2025, but did not contain any documentation of completion of a tuberculosis symptom questionnaire/risk assessment on hire.
PF #4 Date of Hire: 05/26/2025, file contained a completed negative Quantiferon test dated 01/15/2025, but did not contain any documentation of completion of a tuberculosis symptom questionnaire/risk assessment on hire.
PF #5 Date of Hire: 06/22/2024, file contained a completed negative Quantiferon test dated 05/05/2024, but did not contain any documentation of completion of a tuberculosis symptom questionnaire/risk assessment on hire.
An interview with the administrator on June 2, 2026 at approximately 12:00 PM confirmed the above findings.
Plan of Correction:1. The Administrator at Safe and Sweet Home Care will comply with the PA Dept of Health and The CDC guidelines policies which state that all Health Care Workers (HCW) should:
- Receive baseline tuberculosis screening upon hire by using: a two-step tuberculin skin test (TST), a single blood assay for tuberculosis (TB), or a negative chest x-ray to test for infection with tuberculosis.
- Completion of a tuberculosis symptom questionnaire.
- Completion of a tuberculosis risk assessment. After baseline testing for infection with tuberculosis, HCWs should receive TB education annually.
2. Effective immediately, June 5, 2026, the Administrator will require all newly hired direct care workers to complete the tuberculosis screening and questionnaire at hiring. To ensure efficiency and to prevent any future occurrences, the Agency's Administrator will electronically include the tuberculosis screening and questionnaire within the employee's New Hire Packet, where all employees will electronically sign the document after verbally answering the screening questions at on hire. The Agency's Case Manager will review all the new screening questionnaires and risk assessments to ensure compliance. The documents will be individually filed in the employee's human resources file. The Agency's Case Manager new responsibility will be to sign off on every newly hired employee's welcome packet to ensure that the tuberculosis symptom questionnaire and completion of a tuberculosis risk assessment documents are completed and signed prior to the file being electronically submitted and sent to the human resources folder.
3. In addition, to maintain patient safety and protection, the Agency's Administrator will incorporate a specific system alert for all newly hired employees which will require ALL staff to finalize and confirm completion of the tuberculosis symptom questionnaire and tuberculosis risk assessment PRIOR to scheduling any direct care worker visits with participants.
4. In effort to maintain compliance with the PA Dept of Health and CDC Guidelines the Agency's Administrator will conduct monthly policy reviews for Chapter 611, Title 28: Health and Safety as well CDC updates. The Agency's Administrator will register the agency for the CDC's monthly newsletter that also provides updates and incorporates them into the Agency's policies.
5. The Agency's Administrator, Office Assistant and Case Managers are responsible for conducting internal agency employee audits monthly to ensure that all files are in compliance with the PA Dept of Health and The CDC guidelines policies regarding Tuberculosis screening questionnaires and risk assessments.
6. Administrator will add an addendum to correct the deficient files by 6/19/2026. Administrator will re-educate staff on adhering to the policy requirement for on-hire tuberculosis screenings and risk assessments.
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