Infection control in home health and hospice is one of the biggest challenges agencies face today. Without the right protocols, your agency could be at risk of survey deficiencies. It can also lead to more patient infections and legal consequences. Many agencies struggle because home-based care is unpredictable. Patients’ environments, caregiver hygiene, and compliance can vary drastically.
At The Home Health Consultant, we’ve helped hundreds of agencies develop strong infection control programs. These programs protect patients and ensure compliance with CMS and CDC standards.
In this article, we’ll cover:
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the essential infection control requirements for home health and hospice agencies
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common challenges agencies face
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best practices to prevent infections and maintain compliance
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to strengthen your infection control program. You’ll be prepared to confidently protect both your patients and your agency from costly mistakes.
What Are the Regulations for Infection Control in Home Health & Hospice Agencies?
When it comes to home health and hospice care, infection control isn’t just a recommendation—it’s a requirement. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires agencies have documented infection control programs. These programs must actively prevent and control communicable diseases. This keeps patients and staff safe.
According to federal regulations:
- Agencies must follow nationally recognized infection prevention standards. These include those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Staff must implement standard precautions to minimize the risk of transmission.
- Infection control procedures must be consistently applied during all patient interactions.
- Agencies must document ongoing infection prevention efforts.
- Agencies must evaluate the program’s effectiveness routinely.
- Surveyors assess compliance by observing infection control practices during home visits. They also review policies, infection reports and incidents to ensure staff adherence to best practices.
How Can Your Agency Prevent Infections?
Now that we know what’s required, let’s talk about how your agency can take action. Prevention is the foundation of infection control. A few simple but effective steps can make a big difference.
- Hand Hygiene: The simplest yet most effective way to prevent infections is proper handwashing. All staff must wash hands before and after patient care.
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gloves, masks, and gowns should be worn as necessary. The need for PPE depends on the patient’s condition.
- Sterile Supply Management: Medical supplies must be stored safely. They should also be transported properly to prevent contamination.
- Patient and Caregiver Education: Patients and caregivers must learn infection prevention techniques. This includes wound care and proper handling of medical equipment.
- Environmental Cleanliness: Patients and caregivers should maintain a clean home environment. This is particularly important in areas where medical care is provided.
What Are Common Challenges in Infection Control in Home Health & Hospice?
Even with the best prevention strategies in place, home health and hospice agencies face unique challenges that facilities like hospitals don’t. Unlike controlled healthcare settings, home environments vary widely. This can make infection control more complicated.
Some common challenges include:
- Lack of Hygiene Resources: Some patients may not have running water, soap, or other hygiene essentials.
- Noncompliance from Family Members: Caregivers may not consistently follow infection control practices.
- Difficulties in Monitoring Staff Compliance: Staff work independently in patient homes. This makes ensuring adherence to infection control protocols challenging.
- Exposure to Multiple Environments: Clinicians travel between homes. This increases the risk of cross-contamination.
How Can Your Agency Ensure Compliance?
Given these challenges, how can your agency make sure infection control practices are actually being followed? You need clear policies, ongoing training, and a proactive approach to monitoring compliance. To read more about compliance and why it’s essential to your agency’s success, click below.
To stay compliant and protect patients, agencies must:
- Develop and Enforce Clear Policies: Infection control policies should be well-documented and easily accessible. They should also be updated regularly.
- Train and Retrain Staff: Continuous education ensures that all team members remain aware of best practices.
- Conduct Regular Audits: Observing staff in the field and reviewing documentation helps identify areas for improvement.
- Encourage Open Communication: Staff and patients should feel comfortable reporting infection control concerns. There should be no fear of retaliation.
- Monitor Infection Trends: Tracking infections among patients and staff can help identify patterns. This allows agencies to prevent outbreaks.
What Happens If Your Agency Fails Infection Control Standards?
No agency wants to fall short on infection control, but the consequences of failing to meet standards can be serious. If your agency isn’t following proper infection control protocols, the impact can go beyond just a citation—it can put patients at risk.
Failure to meet infection control requirements can lead to:
- Survey Deficiencies: Infection control violations can lead to citations during surveys. This may require corrective action plans or even result in resurveys or immediate jeopardy situations
- Increased Patient Risk: Inadequate infection control can result in preventable patient and staff illnesses. In some cases, it can even lead to fatalities.
- Legal and Financial Repercussions: Agencies may face lawsuits, fines, or loss of Medicare certification. This can happen if infection control failures result in patient harm.
How Can You Strengthen Your Infection Control Program?
So how can you go beyond the basics and build a truly strong infection control program? The best programs don’t just meet requirements—they create a culture of infection prevention. That means having the right leadership, ongoing education, and real-time monitoring.
A strong infection control program includes:
- A Designated Infection Control Officer: Assigning a team member or committee to oversee infection control ensures accountability.
- Routine Staff Education: Training sessions on infection prevention should be conducted at least annually for all field staff. Office staff attendance is encouraged.
- Real-Time Surveillance: Agencies should track infections in patients and staff. This helps identify potential outbreaks.
- Proactive Corrective Actions: Minor infection control issues should be addressed early. This prevents them from becoming major deficiencies.
How Can You Keep Your Agency’s Infection Control Program Ready for Survey?
At the end of the day, infection control isn’t just about meeting regulations. It’s about keeping your patients safe and your agency running smoothly. With the right policies, training, and oversight, your agency can minimize risks and provide high-quality care.
If you were surveyed today, would your agency pass with confidence, or would gaps in your infection control program put you at risk? Many agencies assume they’re survey-ready, only to find out that key compliance areas have been overlooked. Recognizing these potential weaknesses now can save you from costly corrections later.
The Home Health Consultant has years of experience helping agencies develop and maintain infection control programs. Our program is built specifically to align with Medicare Conditions of Participation. Contact us today to ensure your infection control efforts are survey-ready and effective.
*This article was written in consultation with Mariam Treystman.
*Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal, financial, or professional advice. No consultant-client relationship is established by engaging with this content. You should seek the advice of a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding any legal or business matters. The consultant assumes no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided.
