When Donita Wolf went to work on a recent Monday, she had a surprise visit from three state inspectors. And it wasn’t long before three more showed up.

Wolf is director of Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, which the Kansas Department of Health and Environment surveys periodically. When the surveyors’ visit ended four days later, the non-profit agency received excellent scores, Wolf said.

"We gave them all our background information and our quality measures that are reported to Medicare," Wolf said. "They reviewed active and discharge charts, and went to visit some of our clients."

During those visits, the inspectors got an overview of GBHH&H professionals at work. These included registered nurses, home-health aides, a social worker and physical therapist.

"The clients who welcomed the inspectors into their homes answered questions and reported on the services we provide," Wolf said. "Our agency did very well.

"The survey results reinforce what we see every day," she added. "Everyone here demonstrates compassion and professionalism in home-health and hospice care. The clients love our services."

The director noted that the surveyors suggested a few minor administrative changes, which have been addressed.

KDHE officials confirmed that a facility survey from Aug. 11 was mostly positive.

"They found one federal deficiency and one state deficiency," said Miranda Steele, KDHE communications director. The federal deficiency involved failure to follow the plan of care as ordered for one of 12 patients’ medical records reviewed. The state deficiency was that criminal background checks were not being completed through KDHE. "They were doing background checks," Steele said, but not in the way prescribed by the state.

During any given month, GBHH&H serves approximately 100 patients with both home-health and hospice care. It has been in operation since 1979 and employs 10 registered nurses, one licensed practical nurse, three home-health aides, two social workers, a chaplain and the office staff.

In addition, it contracts with physical, occupational and speech therapists.

GBHH&H is part of the St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center family.