N.J. Suspends Registration of West Orange Healthcare Company

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has suspended the registration of a West Orange healthcare service firm that allegedly sent uncertified employees into the homes of patients who needed the services of Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aides (CHHA).

According to a DCA release issued on Monday, Precious Hands, LLC, has allegedly been filing registration documents with the DCA since 2008 that listed three individuals - all of whom are registered nurses - as having been its Director of Nursing.

However, each of the individuals has since provided separate, sworn statements to the DCA indicating that they were never employed by Precious Hands and did not know that the business was using their name and license information, authorities stated.

In addition, the DCA charged that:

• The company provided them with records of 19 employees and 15 clients. For all 19 employees, the company failed to verify whether they were licensed or certified by the Board of Nursing, failed to verify their employment history, and failed to maintain other required employee records.
• For 14 of the 15 clients, Precious Hands failed to create a plan of care. For all 15 clients, it also failed to conduct 30-day healthcare reviews and failed to conduct 60-day in-home evaluations.
• Company records also indicate that Precious Hands placed 23 uncertified employees with seven clients who required the services of a certified CHHA.

The company serves all counties in New Jersey, according to its website.

Under the Final Order of Discipline, Precious Hands has until October 20 to transfer its clients to other registered health care service firms, the DCA stated.

Following a six-month suspension, the Division’s Office of Consumer Protection will verify that Precious Hands has corrected the violations, including the legitimate hiring of a Director of Nursing and other changes to its business practices.

Grace Njenga, owner of Precious Hands, told NJ.com that she plans to appeal the decision and that she is “doing the right thing.”

“Now I have a nurse and she is consistent and seeing clients,” Njenga told NJ.com.