HospitalInspections.org
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SOUTHERN MAINE HEALTH CARE
INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAM
Tag No.: A0749
Based on record review, observations, and interviews, the hospital failed to actively take the temperatures of non-employees upon entrance to the hospital during 9 of 9 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" dated 7/15/2020, indicates that everyone (patients, healthcare personnel and visitors) should be actively screened upon entrance to the facility which includes taking the individual's temperature.
On 8/10/2020 through 8/13/2020, surveyors were screened at the main entrance of the hospital in Biddeford. Temperatures of surveyors were not taken prior to entrance to the hospital in Biddeford on 8/10/2020 at 11:00 AM, on 8/11/2020 at 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM, on 8/12/2020 and 9:10 AM, and on 8/13/2020 at 8:00 AM and 7:45 AM. In addition, the temperature of a surveyor was not taken on 8/12/2020 at 7:20 AM upon entrance to the Sanford location of the hospital.
On 8/11/2020 at 7:35 AM, two (2) non-hospital persons were observed being screened prior to entrance to the hospital in Biddeford. Temperatures of the individuals were not taken upon entrance to the hospital, per the CDC recommendations.
On 8/11/2020 at 8:00 AM, two (2) patients and one (1) medical Resident were observed being screened prior to entrance to the hospital at the Sanford location. Temperatures of the individuals were not taken upon entrance to the hospital, per CDC recommendations. On 8:15 AM, the Patient Access Manager, who screened the individuals, stated, "We have not and do not currently take a temperature on patients and visitors coming through the hospital entrance".
On 8/12/2020 at 11:45 AM, the Infection Preventionists and Chief Medical Officer confirmed the hospital is currently not and had not actively been taking individuals' temperatures upon entrance to the facility, since the pandemic began. One of the Infection Preventionists stated, "Senior Leadership at Maine Health [the hospital's parent entity] is looking at temperatures, but does not feel there is evidence to support taking temperatures".