HospitalInspections.org

Based on review of one (1) of four (4) Medical Records (#4), staff interview, and review of facility policy and procedure, it was determined the facility failed to ensure that a patient exposed to COVID-19 while in the hospital, is notified by the attending physician.

Findings include:

Reference: Facility policy titled, "Outbreak Response" states, " ...Patient Exposure to COVID-19: When a patient is exposed to COVID-19 while in the hospital or in a patient care area, it is the responsibility of the attending physician to disclose exposure to the patient as soon as possible and to inform the patient of the next steps."

1. On 12/15/21 at 11:21 AM, an interview with Staff #2 revealed the following:

a. From 11/10/21-11/20/21, Patient #1 was hospitalized in Room #336. On 11/20/21, the patient was discharged to a rehabilitation center.

(i) On 11/24/21, four days later, Patient #1 was re-admitted to the facility with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Staff #19, a Critical Care Physician, documented in the Consult Note that on 11/20/21, upon arrival to the rehabilitation center, the patient tested positive for COVID-19.

b. During contact tracing, it was identified that Patient #1 was roomed-in with Patient #4 in Room #336 from 11/15/21-11/19/21.

(i) Upon request, Staff #2 and Staff #9 failed to provide documented evidence that Patient #4 or the patient's representative, was informed of the COVID-19 exposure.

(ii) Facility policy states the patient's attending physician is responsible for notifying the patient of exposure to COVID-19. Upon interview, Staff #2 stated Patient #4's physician was not notified of his/her exposure to COVID-19; therefore the physician did not notify the patient of his/her exposure.

2. The above findings were confirmed with Staff #1, Staff #2, Staff #3, and Staff #4 at 2:42 PM.