Home Health & Hospice Week

Four potential survey outcomes lay out the playing field.

The 2013 Home Health Prospective Payment System final rule contains plenty of new lingo for survey processes and civil money penalties under the alternative sanctions. Here are a few definitions -- courtesy of the Maryland National Capital Homecare Association -- that you need to understand when a State Survey Agency arrives at your doorstep.

Substantial Compliance: Compliance with all condition-level requirements.

Substandard Care: Noncompliance with one or more Conditions of Participation, which could result in actual or potential harm to patients.

Repeat Deficiency: A standard or condition-level deficiency cited on the current survey and is substantially the same as, or similar to, a finding of noncompliance on the most recent previous survey. Such deficiencies typically belong to the same regulatory grouping or section of CoPs.

Immediate Jeopardy: Noncompliance with one or more CoPs that has caused, or is likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a patient. This definition may also encompass the potential for serious harm, injury, impairment or death.