HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to follow Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19 for active screening of staff, patients, and or visitors prior to entrance to the facility.

Findings include:

Observation on 5/26/20, at 9:00 a.m. upon entrance to the hospital, 3 unidentified out-patients (P)-1, P2 and P3 were observed being screened by staff. The screening included asking the patient if they had a fever. The staff did not actively take the patients temperature nor did the staff document screening results. During this time, the Minnesota department of health (MDH) surveyors were allowed to enter the facility without being screened for COVID-19, until the surveyor brought it to the facility staffs attention.

Interview with hospital receptionist (HR)-A on 5/26//20, at 10:00 a.m. confirmed patient and visitors who enter the hospital/clinic front entrance during business hours, are not required to have an active temperature check. HR-A indicated staff are only required to ask patients or visitors if they currently have a fever.

Review of a patient screening form, included questions to ask patients during the screening process. The questions included asking the patient if they currently had a fever, rather than requiring an active temperature check. The staff did not document screening results.

Review of a facility policy COVID-19 Attestation dated 5/8/20, indicated all employees are asked to confirm they are symptomatic at the beginning of their shift. The staff were directed to self screen and to report to their manager of any COVID-19 symptoms they may be exhibiting. The staff were not required to document their screening results

Interview with registered nurse (RN)-A on 5/26/20, at 11:00 a.m. confirmed the above current screening process for staff. Employees did not require an active temperature check prior to entering the facility for work. RN-A indicated the staff were not required to take their temperature prior to work, but rather could go by symptoms on if they "felt" they had a temperature.

Interview with RN-B on 5/26/20, at 11:30 a.m. confirmed the above current screening process for staff. Employees did not require an active temperature check prior to entering the facility for work. RN-B indicated the staff were not required to take their temperature prior to work, but rather could go by symptoms on if they "felt" they had a temperature.

Interview with the facility infection control nurse (ICN) on 5/26/20 at 11:45 a.m. confirmed the above information related to screening of staff/patients/visitors. The ICN verified staff, visitors/patients were not being actively screened prior to entrance to the facility, to include a temperature check. The ICN was unsure of the current requirement for screening, and indicated staff were directed by the facility regional office (RO) when implementing processes.