Penn Highlands Community Nurses
A home health agency in Clearfield, Pennsylvania 16830
1033 Turnpike Avenue, Clearfield, Pennsylvania 16830. (814) 768-2000.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 21, 2026.
- 2.5of 5 quality of patient care rating
- 4of 5 patient survey rating
- 2 deficiencies cited in the last three years
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean3
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
The last inspection on record was on May 9, 2025: a recertification inspection.
2 deficiencies cited in the last three years.
CMS, QCOR home health inspection reports. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.
When those deficiencies happened
2 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited May 2025. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 24, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR home health inspection reports. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.
May 9, 2025: recertification inspection2 deficiencies
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Infection Prevention
The inspectors’ words, 355 words
“Infection Prevention CFR(s): 484.70(a) Standard: Infection Prevention. The HHA must follow accepted standards of practice, including the use of standard precautions, to prevent the transmission of infections and communicable diseases. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: Based on review of agency policy and procedure, observations (OBV) during home visits and staff (EMP) interview, the agency failed to ensure staff followed infection control standards of practice and agency policy and procedure for three (3) of seven (7) observations providing direct care to patients (OBV1, OBV2 and OBV5). Findings Included: Review of the agency policy and procedures was conducted 5/9/2025 at approximately 3:45 PM revealed, “Infection Control: Preparation of Work Area and Bag Technique…PURPOSE: To prevent contamination of bag and equipment, avoid cross infection, and establish a clean work area…PROCEDURE: 1. Adhere to Standard Precautions. 2. Select a flat surface to place bag and set up work area. Use discretion and consideration when placing bag on patient’s furniture. Never place bag on floor. Keep bag closed when not in use. 3. Place a barrier (paper towels, clean newspaper or other appropriate material) on flat surface before setting bag down…” During a home visit observation (MR14 OBV1) , on 5/9/2025 at approximately 0800 AM EMP5 provided direct patient care. EMP5 placed the supply bag on top of a counter with no chuck/barrier between the counter and the nursing/supply bag. During a home visit observation (MR17 OBV2) , on 5/9/2025 at approximately 9:12 AM EMP6 provided direct patient care. EMP6 placed a chuck/barrier on a chair with the nursing/supply bag on top of the chuck/barrier. The supply bag was laying off the side of the chuck/barrier onto the arm of the chair. During a home visit observation (MR11 OBV5) , on 5/9/2025 at approximately 12:26 AM EMP7 provided direct patient care. EMP7 placed four (4) chuck/barrier on a kitchen table with the backpack on top of one (1) chuck/barrier. Part of both straps from the backpack was laying off the side of the chuck/barrier onto the kitchen table. An exit interview with the area operation manager on 5/9/2025 at approximately 3:45 PM which confirmed the above findings.”
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A Review Of All Current Medications
The inspectors’ words, 307 words
“A review of all current medications CFR(s): 484.55(c)(5) A review of all medications the patient is currently using in order to identify any potential adverse effects and drug reactions, including ineffective drug therapy, significant side effects, significant drug interactions, duplicate drug therapy, and noncompliance with drug therapy. This Element is not met as evidenced by: Based on review of agency policy, medical records (MR) and staff (EMP) interviews, the agency failed to maintain an accurate medication profile and to ensure review of potential adverse effects for one (1) of fourteen (17) medical records reviewed (MR17). Findings included: Review of the agency policy and procedures was conducted on 5/19/2025 at approximately 11:00 AM revealed, Policy “Medication Reconciliation…PURPOSE To define the medication reconciliation process…PROCEDURE 1. At time of admission, the admitting RN, PT, or SLP will create and document a complete list of medications that patient is taking at home, including dose, strength, route, and frequency. *Any discrepancies will be reconciled by a RN with the patient’s physician. *Discrepancies include duplications, omissions, changes, contraindications and/or unclear information. *(Agency) provides the patient and/or caregiver with written patient medication schedule/instructions, including medication name, dose, strength, route and frequency as well as which medications will be administered…” Review of (OBV2 MR17) was conducted on 5/16/2025 at approximately 3:02 PM revealed, “HOME HEALTH CERTIFICATION AND PLAN OF CARE” with a start of care date of 4/14/2025 and a current certification period starting 4/14/2025 to 6/12/2025. The primary diagnosis was critical illness myopathy. The home health certification and plan of care was compared to the facility document “Physician’s Orders.” The home health certification and plan of care listed under section “17. Allergies: diclofenac, lisinopril…” The physician’s orders list under section “Allergies: No Know Drug Allergy…” An exit interview with the area operation manager on 5/9/2025 at approximately 3:45 PM which confirmed the above findings.”
The one inspection in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| May 9, 2025 | Recertification inspection | 2 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified home health agency since Dec 8, 1969.
- Ownership: non-profit.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency on record in the last three years.
CMS, Home Health Care Agencies. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR home health inspection reports. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for home health agencies, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR home health inspection reports. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.
Who does the caring?
- Offers nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, medical social services and home health aide services.
- CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for home health agencies.
CMS, Home Health Care Agencies. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who owns it?
- Community Nurses Inc. and Penn Highlands Healthcare, Inc. and Elk Regional Health Center run it.
- 35 owners or officers are people: Douglas Winner (corporate officer); Douglas Winner (managing employee (on the payroll)); Douglas Winner (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Jourdan D Strishock (managing employee (on the payroll)); Jourdan D Strishock (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Russell E Cameron (corporate officer); Russell E Cameron (managing employee (on the payroll)); Russell E Cameron (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Robert W O’leary (corporate director); Trina L Johnson (corporate officer); Trina L Johnson (managing employee (on the payroll)); Trina L Johnson (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Edward Yahner (corporate director); Joanne Ryan (corporate director); David Lezzer (corporate director); Cheryl Mitchell (managing employee (on the payroll)); Christian E Camuso (corporate director); James E Devlin (corporate director); Carlyn Belczyk (corporate director); Samuel Lewis (corporate director); Richard L Pfingstler (corporate director); Donald E Conrad (corporate director); Scott H Foradora (corporate director); Mark Norman (corporate officer); Mark Norman (managing employee (on the payroll)); William H Young (corporate director); Mark Mcginley (corporate director); James B Ryan (corporate director); John S Sutika (corporate director); Brian S Kline (corporate officer); Brian S Kline (managing employee (on the payroll)); Brian S Kline (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Steven M Fontaine (corporate officer); Steven M Fontaine (managing employee (on the payroll)); Steven M Fontaine (runs it (operational or managerial control)).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Home Health Agency All Owners and Home Health Agency Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Organisation | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Nurses Inc. | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | Feb 22, 1990 | |
| Penn Highlands Healthcare, Inc. | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | Jul 1, 2013 | |
| Elk Regional Health Center | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | Jul 1, 2013 |
How do patients fare?
- CMS rates its quality of patient care 2.5 of 5.
- Patients rate it 4 of 5 in CMS’s patient survey (237 surveys completed): 90% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 79% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS compares it with the national rate: discharged to the community, better; potentially preventable hospital stays, the same; potentially preventable readmissions after discharge, the same.
CMS, Home Health Care Agencies and Home Health Patient Survey. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Quality of patient care ratingCMS star rating, 1 to 5 in half stars | 2.5 of 5 |
| Patient survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of the agency’s patients, 1 to 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Discharged to the communityCMS’s risk-adjusted rate, compared with the national rate | 88.36% (better than the national rate) |
| Potentially preventable hospital staysCMS’s risk-adjusted rate, compared with the national rate | 10.99% (same as the national rate) |
| Potentially preventable readmissions after dischargeCMS’s risk-adjusted rate, compared with the national rate | 4.66% (same as the national rate) |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 10 agencies CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 16830, where this agency’s office is, 8 have a quality of patient care rating; the middle one is 3.5 of 5, and this one is rated 2.5 of 5.
CMS, Home Health ZIP Codes and Home Health Care Agencies. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Quality rating |
|---|---|
| Penn Highlands Community Nurses This home health agency | 2.5 |
| Penn Highlands Community Nurses | 3 |
| UPMC Home Healthcare of Central Pennsylvania | 3.5 |
| Conemaugh Home Health | 3.5 |
| Advantage Home Health Services Central | 3.5 |
| Interim Healthcare of Western Pa | Not given |
| Aveanna Healthcare | Not given |
| Resta Home Health LLC | 2.5 |
| Medi Home Health Agency | 5 |
| Advantage Home Health Services, LLC | 3.5 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for home health agencies, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- QCOR says some of its home health reports are accurate or available only through May 19, 2021, because of a systems migration.
- Many home health agencies are inspected by a private accrediting organisation instead of the state, and QCOR’s home health file doesn’t appear to include those inspections: no inspection on record here doesn’t mean none took place.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Home Health Care Agencies (6jpm-sxkc).
Released Oct 21, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Home Health Patient Survey (ccn4-8vby).
Released Oct 21, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR home health inspection reports (HHA_2567s_2018_to_2026YTD.xlsx).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Home Health Agency All Owners (fc009b2d-7846-44b1-b4a1-692f0c143879).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Home Health Agency Enrollments (15f64ab4-3172-4a27-b589-ebd67a6d28aa).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Home Health ZIP Codes (m5eg-upu5).
Released Oct 21, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 24, 2026.
From the agency
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Replies
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Paid listing
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