HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to actively screen staff at the point of entry in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 guidance.

Findings include:

The Minnesota Executive Order 20-51 https://www.leg.state.mn.us/archive/execorders/20-51.pdf dated 5/5/20, directs, "Facilities must conduct active health screening of all staff (e.g., providers, medical assistants, support staff, environmental services staff) at the beginning of each shift, patients, and visitors entering the facility, to assess for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Screening must include assessment for symptoms associated with infection, as recommended in CDC." CDC: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings updated 5/18/20, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html directs, "Screen all HCP at the beginning of their shift for fever and symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Actively take their temperature and document absence of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. If they are ill, have them keep their cloth face covering or facemask on and leave the workplace."

During the COVID-19 Focus Survey entrance conference on 6/10/20, at 9:09 a.m. the director of nursing (DON) and infection preventionist (IP) indicated employees can enter any door to the hospital to report to their shift and self-screen. They are aware of the active screening process but are utilizing the self-screening instead. Employees are required to self-screen their temperature before they arrive for their shift and again at the end of their shift. The DON and IP stated staff do not document their self-assessments.

During an interview on 6/10/20, at 10:34 a.m. the intensive care unit nurse manager stated staff are self-screening twice per day. Staff self-screen at home, before the start of their shift, and again at the end of their shift in the hospital. The self-assessments are not documented.

Review of the 5/28/20, Enhanced Screening Requirements for Staff Reporting On-site-COVID-19 information policy identified it directed staff to take their own temperature twice daily and monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. There was no indication the facility had directed staff to be actively screened prior to the point of entry each day prior to their shifts.