South Shore VNA Earns Perfect Score on MA Department of Public Health Survey

A group photo of South Shore VNA's Clinical and Quality Teams
Members of the South Shore VNA Clinical and Quality Teams, who were instrumental to the success of the DPH site visit in January 2023.

Congratulations are in order for our colleagues at the South Shore VNA!

After an unannounced and extensive site visit, Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) surveyors certified the VNA as being in compliance with all regulatory requirements and without any deficiencies, meaning in essence they earned a perfect review. 

“This is an unbelievable achievement for us, especially given our size and complexity,” says Tina Dwyer, Director Care Coordination/Community Benefits Officer, who served as the point-person for DPH during their visit.

All VNA agencies in Massachusetts must undergo an extensive audit from the MA DPH at least every three years to maintain their ability to receive reimbursements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the care they provide.

It is very uncommon for an agency to pass the review without a single citation for future improvement.  

Thanks to extensive preparation, including mock drills, and strong cross-departmental collaboration, the South Shore VNA deftly met all of DPH’s requests during their six-day visit, including the review of clinical documentation, policies, and procedures; in-person interviews with colleagues; and home visit observations with our clinicians as they visited patients. 

“Having this official designation of being in full compliance and deficiency-free is a testament not only to the quality of care we provide to our community, but to the excellence and dedication of our home care colleagues,” says Jann Ahern, Vice President Home & Community Health Operations.

Congratulations to the South Shore VNA on their laudable accomplishment!


Learn more about the South Shore VNA.