HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to follow Minnesota Executive Order 20-51 and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) screening guidelines to actively screen staff upon entering the facility. This had the potential to impact all patients, visitors, and staff at the facility.

Findings include:

The Minnesota Executive Order 20-51 https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-51.pdf dated 5/5/20, directs, "Facilities must conduct active health screening of all staff (e.g., providers, medical assistants, support staff, environmental services staff) at the beginning of each shift, patients, and visitors entering the facility, to assess for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Screening must include assessment for symptoms associated with infection, as recommended in CDC." CDC: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings updated 5/18/20, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html directs, "Screen all HCP at the beginning of their shift for fever and symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Actively take their temperature and document absence of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If they are ill, have them keep their cloth face covering or facemask on and leave the workplace."

During an observation on 6/4/20, at 10:21 a.m. the employee entrance was found not to include screening equipment, or a staff person to perform the screening.

On 6/4/20, at 10:23 a.m. the director of nursing (DON) was interviewed, and stated the facility did not complete active screening for employees. The DON stated staff were required to obtain their temperature at home, and when they arrived at work, they would attest they do not have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 when they logged into their computer.

On 6/4/20, at 10:11 a.m. the vice president of system support (VP)-A was interviewed, and confirmed the hospital does not actively screen staff members for COVID-19, however, the facility actively screens visitors, vendors and contractors. VP-A stated staff currently attest when they clock-in for the day, they do not have any signs or symptoms of coronavirus.

On 6/4/20, at 10:16 a.m. security officer (SO)-A was interviewed, and stated the facility screened all visitors coming into the hospital, but did not screen employees.

On 6/4/20 at 11:03 a.m. VP-A stated the facility was aware of active screening requirements. VP-A stated the practice of screening employees had not been implemented at the facility.

The Ridgeview Medical Center screening tool Patient/Employee/Contractor/Vendor/Visitor Primary and Secondary COVID-19 Screening updated 6/2/20, directed employees and visitors to be actively screened and to obtain a temperature. The screening tool included a form to document the date, name of the person being screened, if the person had symptoms, and the initials of the screener.