The public can now easily view all statements of deficiencies as a result of home health complaint surveys CMS conducted from January 2011 through March 2018. A file CMS recently posted on its website includes more than 16,000 specific deficiencies during that timeframe.
 
The statements of deficiencies are grouped in a searchable, sortable Excel spreadsheet, a CMS spokeswoman tells HHL. “This allows individuals to easily zero in on certain types of deficiencies or certain word phrases, particular geographical areas, or groups of providers.”
 
No similar file of agencies’ deficiencies has been posted before on CMS’ website, says attorney Robert Markette of Indianapolis-based Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman. Now that it’s available, it’s invaluable because it allows agencies to be able to comb through results and see the kinds of things that draw surveyors’ attention.
 
It’s also possible to separate out surveys conducted since the revised Home Health Conditions of Participation (CoPs) took effect Jan. 13, 2018.
 
 “This posting is a continuation of CMS’ efforts to provide quality and safety information to patients, providers and other stakeholders,” the CMS spokeswoman says. Complaint survey statements of deficiencies and plans of correction are “considered directly releasable to requestors by the CMS regional offices and state survey agencies. Posting this on a single CMS website is the most expedient way to manage these routine requests for survey information.”
 
The spreadsheet will be updated quarterly, according to CMS. 
 
Related link: View the spreadsheet by visiting https://go.cms.gov/1iwCKXU and scrolling down to a file called “Full Text Statements of Deficiencies HHA Surveys - 2018Q1.”