My mother has multiple comorbities: DJD & OA of the left hip with pain, generalized weakness,…read moredecreased activity tolerance, generalized OA, RA, hyperlipidemia, CAD, ESRD stage 3, DMII, HTN, COPD, abnormalities of gait, impaired balance, hx of falls, CVA, ADLs/IADLs dysfunction, generalized weakness, incontinence of B&B, difficulty with transfers & mobility.
Active Home Health Care accepted physician's orders to provide skilled nursing, occupational & physical therapy services for my mother on May 3, 2021. Janice Gladney, the client's daughter, called the agency and spoke with Ruthie who confirmed their company was in receipt of the physician's orders from Dr. Gruss from West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois.
On Saturday, May 15, 2021, the nurse arrived with her equipment in a black garbage bag, per my Mom. [What about the nurse's bag with a clean/dirty side of the nurse's bag or COVID-19 precautions?] The occupational and physical therapists never showed up, which is client abandonment. I am an OT. industry standard practice of 48-72 hours is generally the policy to contact a client and initiate services.
I called Active Home Health and spoke to Ruthie about canceling nursing services on May 20, 2021 secondary to the lack of their availability; i.e., the nurse was only available on Saturdays or Sundays. What happened to the other 5 days of the week? Why accept the physician's order to provide the needed care upon discharge when Active Home Health Care knew they could not provide the services?
Previously, my Mom was being seen by Active Home Health Care physical therapist who was initially providing PT twice weekly and then her frequency was decreased to once weekly all which happened within a week. When asked why her services were decreased, my Mom stated the physical therapist told her Active Home Health Care did not have the staff to provide coverage for the initial frequency.
When I spoke with Susie on May 27, 2021 regarding the aforementioned problem, Susie was very unprofessional and told me to go elsewhere, go to another home health agency. Basically, a month of much needed services were not provided. I asked why did her agency take the physician orders to provide services on May 3, 2021 with the nurse's SOC initiated on Saturday on May 15, 2021. What happen to the standard of 48-72 SOC? The RN told my mom she would only be available on Saturday at 9 AM. Susie stated on 5/27/21, they had skilled nursing services only on Saturday and Sunday for my Mom's area - Austin area of Chicago. Again, why accept my mother's case if the ordered services were not available? The occupational and physical therapist never completed their assessment.
On May 27, 2021, my mother saw an orthopedic specialist, Dr. Jeffery Meisles of Elmhurst, IL. He is in the process of evaluating my mother's options for a left hip replacement. As Dr. Meisles looked for the physical therapist's notes, he do not fine any notes. He asked how long had my mother been discharged from West Suburban Rehab? My sister replied, May 3, 2021. Needless to stay, Dr. Meisles' facial expression said it all, "what the hell."
I advise anyone who is scheduled to receive services from Active Home Health Care to run in the opposite direction. I will do everything in my power to have their accreditation and license removed. Do not use this agency if you want your love one to have consistent, timely care and physician ordered services.
Janice Gladney
