HospitalInspections.org

Based on document review, observation and interview, the facility failed to maintain its infection prevention and control program in accordance with nationally recognized infection control (IC) guidelines to minimize the risk of exposure to patients, healthcare personnel (HCP) and visitors for three (3) occurrences.

Findings include:

1. Review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines titled Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic (updated 6-19-20 & 7-15-20) indicated the following: "Post visual alerts (e.g., signs, posters) at the entrance and in strategic places (e.g., waiting areas, elevators, cafeterias) to provide instructions (in appropriate languages) about... how and when to perform hand hygiene...Educate patients, visitors and HCP about the importance of performing hand hygiene immediately before and after any contact with their facemask or cloth face covering...Screen everyone (patients, HCP, visitors entering the facility for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or exposure to others with SARS-CoV-2 infection...Actively take their temperature and document absence of symptoms consistent with COVID-19..."

2. Review of the policy/procedure Standard Precautions (approved 7-19) indicated the following: "Masks are used for 4 purposes in the health care setting...to limit dissemination of potentially infectious respiratory secretions from the patient to others ...Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette...applies to all co-workers, patients and visitors. The following measures are necessary to contain respiratory secretions of all individuals...cover coughs and sneezes using a facial tissue or the bend of arm. Dispose of contaminated facial tissues in the nearest waste receptacle immediately following use. Perform HH [hand hygiene] after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials."

3. Review of the policy/procedure Hand Hygiene (approved 4-19) indicated the following: "To assure compliance with CDC guidelines for proper hand hygiene of healthcare workers...Make improved hand-hygiene adherence an institutional priority...."

4. Review of the policy/procedure Temperature Checking of Patients and Guests (approved 5-12-20) indicated the following: "Parkview Health attempts to closely follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)... In the CDC document, "Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations...for Healthcare Facilities" (no date of issue)...no recommendation is made to check temperatures of patients or guests...[and]...Generally speaking, the active checking of patient and guest temperatures upon facility entry is not recommended, but not prohibited."

5. During an observation on 8-4-2020 at 0955 hours of the main entrance to the facility, in the company of Quality Specialist A3, the reception and screening staff on duty were observed to be without a thermometer to check the temperature of everyone entering the facility. Several signs were observed in the entry area with information about visitor restrictions, social distancing and for everyone to wear a mask inside the facility and no information on display indicated for everyone to perform hand hygiene before and after touching their face mask or performing respiratory hygiene.

6. On 8-4-20 at 0955 hours, staff A3 confirmed the above.

7. During an observation on 8-4-2020 at 1110 hours of the 2C entrance area, in the company of staff A3, the screening staff on duty were observed to be without a thermometer to check the temperature of everyone entering the facility.

8. On 8-4-20 at 1110 hours, staff A3 confirmed the above.

9. During an observation on 8-4-2020 at 1140 hours of the behavioral health unit (BHU) offsite entrance area, in the company of Quality Specialist A2, the screening staff on duty were observed to be without a thermometer to check the temperature of everyone entering the facility. A sign was posted in the entry area with information about visitor restrictions and for everyone to wear a mask inside the facility and no information on display indicated how or when to perform hand hygiene.

10. On 8-4-20 at 1140 hours, staff A2 confirmed the above.