Kno-Wal-Lin found "deficiency free"
in three surprise DHHS surveys

Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice recently passed three unannounced inspections from the Department of Health and Human Services. Over five days of inspections, DHHS found zero deficiencies at KWL.

"We are very proud of all the staff here at Kno-Wal-Lin, without them, this would not have been possible. In our world of increased scrutiny -- this is a pretty wonderful accomplishment," said Donna DeBlois, Executive Director, Kno-Wal-Lin and Vice President, Community Health, Pen Bay Healthcare.

The team of three DHHS surveyors arrived Feb. 11 to conduct a Medicare Certification Survey and a state of Maine licensing surveys for the KWL divisions of Hospice and Help at Home.

The Medicare Certification Surveys are conducted at least every three years and are performed to insure that Kno-Wal-Lin is in compliance with regulations governing home health as established by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and the state of Maine. They review the MCR Conditions of Participation regarding patient rights, state, federal, and local law compliance, the patient's Plan of Care, Home Health Aide Services, clinical records, OASIS reporting, and the comprehensive assessment.

The State Licensing Surveys involve the review of patient records, agency policies and procedures, governing body oversight, agency performance improvement plan, and conducts home visits.

During the course of the surveys, a total of 35 patient records and 20 personnel files were reviewed and 10 home visits in each of the three branch offices, in Rockland, Belfast and Newcastle, were conducted. After five days of intense surveying Kno-Wal-Lin was found to have no deficiencies in any areas.

The Pen Bay Healthcare family of services includes Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice, Quarry Hill Retirement Community, the Knox Center for Long Term Care and the Mid-Coast Mental Health Center. Through these organizations, a staff of more than 1,700 dedicated healthcare professionals and more than 100 outstanding physicians, we are able to provide members of our community with a continuum of care from birth throughout their lives. For more information, please visit penbayhealthcare.org.