HospitalInspections.org

Based on document reviews, observations, and interviews, the hospital failed to implement all possible strategies to prevent and control the transmission of COVID-19. This failure has the potential to affect other patients, staff and visitors.

Findings:

The Central Maine Healthcare policy, "Personal Protective Equipment Usage Guidance by Activity Type and Personnel", last updated 6/17/2021 states, in part, "Healthcare Workers with symptomatic COVID -19 PUI or suspected, or confirmed positive patients: Providers, nursing, techs, phlebotomy, respiratory therapists, Medical Imaging. HIGH RISK ACTIVITY: Care directly performed on/with a patient on Novel Respiratory Infection Precautions (NRI) N-95 Respirator or CAPR/PAPR Full Face Shield Gown Gloves NRI Precautions: Airborne/Contact Negative Pressure Room".

1. On 10/3/2023 at 11:10 AM, surveyors observed a sign on the door of Patient #1 that advanced precautions were required to enter the room including a gown, gloves, eye protection, and an N-95 mask. This observation revealed the following:

- On 10/3/2023 at 11:15 AM, surveyors observed Certified Nursing Assistant ("CNA") #1 with no eye protection in the Patient #1's room.

- On 10/3/2023 at 11:20 AM, CNA #1 confirmed with surveyors that he forgot to wear eye protection and that this was a violation of hospital policy.

2. On 10/4/2023 at 11:25 AM, surveyors observed a sign on the door of Patient #1 that advanced precautions were required to enter the room including a gown, gloves, eye protection, and an N-95 mask. This observation revealed the following:

- On 10/4/2023 at 11:30 AM, surveyors observed CNA #2 enter the room of Patient #1 without any of the required personal protective equipment.

- On 10/4/2023 at 11:32 AM, CNA #2 confirmed with the surveyors that she was aware of the required precautions prior to entering Patient #1's room but didn't comply because she stated, "I was only going in for a minute". When asked if she doesn't need the precautions if she is just going in for a minute, she stated, "No, you need it if you are going in the room".

On 10/4/2023 at 2:05 PM, the Quality Accreditation Program Manager confirmed that Patient #1 was in the hopsital with Covid-19 and the required personal protective equipment to enter the room is a gown, gloves, N-95 mask and eye protection.