HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review, observations, and interviews, the hospital failed to actively take the temperatures of non-employees upon entrance to the hospital during 6 of 6 observations.

Findings:

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) "Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendation for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic", updated 7/15/2020, indicates that everyone (patients, healthcare personnel and visitors) should be actively screened upon entrance to the facility. This includes "actively take their temperature and document absence of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Fever is either measured temperature =100.0°F or subjective fever."

On 8/17/2020 through 8/19/2020, surveyors were screened in the main lobby of the hospital. Temperatures of surveyors were not taken prior to entrance to the hospital on 8/17/2020 at 9:15 AM, 8/18/2020 at 7:30 AM and 8:45 AM, and 8/19/2020 at 8:00 AM, per CDC recommendations.

On 8/18/2020 at 9:20 AM, a non-employee was observed being screened prior to entrance to the hospital. A temperatures of the individual was not taken upon entry to the hospital, per the CDC recommendations.

On 8/18/2020 at 9:35 AM, the Receptionist Manager stated taking temperature is not part of the screening process.

On 8/18/2020 at 11:15 AM, two surveyors and the Accreditation and Compliance Specialist together observed a vendor (copy machine repairman) enter the main lobby and go through the screening process. A temperature of the individual was not taken upon entrance to the hospital, per the CDC recommendations. At the time of observation the surveyor inquired about temperatures and the Accreditation and Compliance Specialists stated, "No, we don't and have not taken temperatures on people coming in. We've been taking direction from MaineHealth".