HospitalInspections.org

Based on review of hospital documentation, and interviews, the hospital failed to ensure a staff member was appropriately quarantined after international travel, as directed by the hospitals practice and CDC recommendations, during the COVID 19 pandemic. The finding includes:

Review of electronic communication (email) sent to all hospital employees on 3/6/2020 regarding guidance upon returning from international travel during the COVID 19 pandemic, identified that all employees returning from international travel to a Center for Disease Control (CDC) level 2 or level 3 country should remain at home (self-quarantine) for a full 14 day period upon their return. Staff should self- monitor daily for fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Interview on 9/2/2020 at 10:15 AM with the Director of Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs identified that on 8/21/2020, the Connecticut Department of Public Health notified the hospital that allegedly a staff member (RN#1) had recently traveled internationally, to Jamaica, and returned to work without self-quarantine for 14 days, as directed by the hospital ' s policy.

The hospital investigation of the incident identified Registered Nurse (RN)#1 had traveled to Jamaica (classified as a Level 3 country) on her days off and returned to work the 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM shift on 8/19/2020 and 8/20/2020 as scheduled. Once the hospital became aware of the incident, RN#1 was directed to quarantine at home for a period of 14 days as directed by the facility's policy. Contact tracing was conducted, which included interviewing all employees who worked with RN #1 on 8/19/2020 and 8/20/2020. The investigation identified that RN#1 utilized the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) while on duty 8/19/2020 and 8/20/2020.

Interview on 9/3/2020 at 12:30 PM with the Director of Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs identified that RN #1 traveled to Jamaica on 8/11/2020 and returned on 8/18/2020. She worked 2 shifts, on 8/19/2020 and 8/20/2020, and was then sent home and directed to self-quarantine for 14 days. RN#1 indicated that she had no symptoms of COVID 19 and although she remembered receiving an email from the hospital in March 2020 regarding travel, she did not recall being advised about international travel and the required 14-day quarantine. Upon return RN#1 contacted the state's COVID 19 hot line (211) who advised her of the travel advisories and mandatory quarantines within the country and indicated that although the CDC recommended quarantining after international travel, it was not mandatory. Additionally, RN#1 indicated that because she traveled on her days off she didn't think it was necessary to inform the hospital about her travel plans.

During a subsequent interview with the Director of Accreditation and Regulatory Affairs on 9/2/2020 at 1:00 PM she identified that although RN#1 traveled to Jamaica on her days off, she should have notified the hospital prior to leaving to ensure the implementation of the 14 day quarantine, based on hospital policy, upon her return.

The facility failed to ensure the hospital practice and CDC recommendations, pertaining to COVID 19 travel and quarantine were followed.

The CDC guidelines defines Jamaica as a Level 3 country and recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the country due to the increased risk of severe illness from COVID 19. Additionally the CDC recommends that upon return the person should remain at home as much as possible and comply will all state and local guidelines.

Review of Connecticut Governors' Executive order 7BBB, which directed the Commissioner of Public Health to issue a travel advisory that, with limited exceptions, advises travelers from other states with certain level of infection rates to self quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Connecticut. However the Executive order does not address international travel.