Answer: Home Health Agencies can use pseudo patients for Aide competency evaluation testing.  The following is from the Home Health State Operations Manual Appendix B

G768

(Rev. 200, Issued: 02-21-20; Effective: 02-21-20, Implementation: 02-21-20)

• 484.80(c)(1)
• 484.80(c) Standard: Competency evaluation.

An individual may furnish home health services on behalf of an HHA only after that individual has successfully completed a competency evaluation program as described in this section.

(1) The competency evaluation must address each of the subjects listed in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. Subject areas specified under paragraphs (b)(3)(i), (iii), (ix), (x), and (xi) of this section must be evaluated by observing an aide’s performance of the task with a patient or pseudo-patient. The remaining subject areas may be evaluated through written examination, oral examination, or after observation of a home health aide with a patient, or with a pseudo-patient as part of a simulation.

484.2 Definitions.

Pseudo-patient means a person trained to participate in a role-play situation, or a

computer-based mannequin device. A pseudo-patient must be capable of responding to and

interacting with the home health aide trainee, and must demonstrate the general characteristics of

the primary patient population served by the HHA in key areas such as age, frailty, functional

status, and cognitive status.

Simulation means a training and assessment technique that mimics the reality of the

homecare environment, including environmental distractions and constraints that evoke or

replicate substantial aspects of the real world in a fully interactive fashion, in order to teach and

assess proficiency in performing skills, and to promote decision making and critical thinking