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CALAIS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
INFECTION PREVENT & CONTROL POLICIES
Tag No.: C1206
Based on document reviews, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to implement the United States Centers for Disease Control (US CDC) recommendations during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic related to eye protection.
Findings:
According to the Maine Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Washington County, where Calais Regional Hospital is located, has been identified as having substantial community transmission of COVID-19.
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", dated 11/4/2020, indicated health care personnel working in facilities located in areas with moderate to substantial community transmission are more likely to encounter asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and that they should wear eye protection, in addition to their facemask, to ensure the eyes, nose, and mouth are all protected from exposure to respiratory secretions during patient care encounters.
On 11/17/2020 at 12:00 PM, staff in the Emergency Department (ED) were observed entering the room of one (1) patient who was not identified as being on precautions. Staff were not wearing eye protection per US CDC recommendations.
On 11/17/2020 at 12:10 PM, staff on the inpatient unit were observed entering three (3) separate patient rooms who were not identified as being on precautions. Staff were not wearing eye protection per US CDC recommendations.
On 11/17/2020 at 12:30 PM, Vice President of Clinical Operations ("VP") was interviewed. The VP stated, "The eye protection is only when staff are providing direct patient care when a patient is a person under investigation ("PUI"), COVID positive, or in a room with airborne or droplet precautions".
On 11/18/2020 at 10:35 AM, staff on the inpatient unit were observed entering three (3) separate patient rooms who were not identified as being on precautions. Staff were not wearing eye protection per US CDC recommendations.
On 11/18/2020 at 1:25 PM, the Infection Preventionist ("IP") was interviewed. The IP stated, "The staff only use eye protection for PUIs, COVID positive patients, and other patients with precautions that require eye protection".