February 15, 2021
Chandler Hall is very pleased to announce that our Chandler Hall Hospice program has been designated Deficiency Free by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a department of Health and Human Services. Now to those of you who are not sure what this means – it means that Chandler Hall is one of only 13% of Hospice programs that has met the stringent standards set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the country.
What Does Deficiency Free Mean?
According to CMS Home Care including Hospice Care, as well as Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and Nursing Facilities (NFs), are required to be in compliance with Federal requirements to receive payment under the Medicare or Medicaid programs. The Secretary of the United States Department of Health & Human Services has delegated to the CMS and the State Medicaid Agency the authority to impose enforcement remedies (or penalties) against a nursing home that does not meet Federal requirements.
Each of the 50 States, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia has an agency that conducts on-site surveys for CMS to determine whether nursing homes are complying with Federal requirements. Surveys are conducted on a 9 to 15 month cycle with a statewide average of 12 months.
What Kinds of Things are Evaluated?
The evaluation is an all inclusive look at each program and the services that are delivered. The survey is upwards of 80 pages of accountability questioning that focuses on a variety of operations such as:
- Understanding the levels of care offered
- Levels of supervision
- Family satisfaction
- Quality controls
- Infection controls
- Patient satisfaction
The evaluation is strict and stringent. It is designed to hold each care program accountable for maintaining the very best level of care that can be offered.
What a Deficiency Free Designation Really Means
While a designation of being deficiency free is a welcome accolade for any care program, to Chandler Hall, it is an affirmation that our Person-Centered Care philosophy is working for our patients and is a resounding success for our team and care partners. Person-centered care translates into quality care and better outcomes. It allows us to offer the very best of care in any of our settings. What’s more, to achieve this accolade in a year beset by a pandemic and uncertainty is an amazing accomplishment.
To our care teams, this designation is a welcome reward for a job well done, but it is also an affirmation that our standards of care and our commitment to each patient and their family is real and part of our ethos.
Our Work Never Stops
As we continue forward into new challenging times, our Chandler Hall family and greater community can rest assured that our commitment to your family and loved ones never waivers. We will continue to be at the ready to offer the very best compassionate care as we Navigate the Journey of Life together.
Learn more about our Hospice Program
Just click the button below to download our new guide, Navigating the Journey of Hospice Care, to learn more about our Hospice at Home and inpatient care at our Hospice Pavilion.