HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations, interviews and document review, the facility failed to implement the United States Centers for Disease Control (US CDC) recommendations during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic related to maintaining physical distance in 3 of 5 hospital waiting areas and on elevators on 2 of 4 survey days.

Findings:

The US CDCs "Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendation for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic", updated 7/15/2020 and 11/4/2020, indicated, "Encourage Physical Distancing...when possible, physical distancing (maintaining at least 6 feet between people) is an important strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission...Arranging seating in waiting rooms so patients can sit at least 6 feet apart." Additionally, "For HCP [Health Care Personnel], the potential for exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is not limited to direct patient care interactions. Transmission can also occur through unprotected exposures to asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic co-workers in breakrooms or co-workers or visitors in other common areas...Reminding HCP that the potential for exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is not limited to direct patient care interactions...Emphasizing the importance of source control and physical distancing in non-patient care areas."

On 11/3/2020 at 12:30 PM, during a tour of the hospital with the Infection Prevention Coordinator, seats, in the Emergency Department (ED) waiting area, were observed less than six (6) feet apart. The distance was measures between the seats in the ED waiting area and they measured between 1 (one) to 2 (two) feet apart.

On 11/3/2020 at 12:37 PM, six (6) seats, in the Cardiology waiting area, were observed and measured to be 6 (six) inches apart from one each other..

On 11/3/2020 at 12:42 PM, 8 (eight) chairs around 2 (two) tables, in the waiting area outside the 1 West Unit, were observed and measured to be 1 (one) foot apart from each other.

On 11/3/2020 at 1:05 PM, during a tour of the hospital with the Infection Prevention Coordinator, four (4) staff were observed, on 1 West Unit, less than two (2) feet apart from each other. Two (2) nursing staff were observed behind the nurse station within approximately 1 (one) foot from each other, and 2 (two) staff were observed standing in the hallway less than 2 (two) feet apart.

On 11/3/2020 at 1:05 PM, during a tour of the hospital with the Infection Prevention Coordinator, on 1 West Unit, two (2) nursing staff were observed behind the nurses' station within approximately 1 (one) foot from each other and 2 (two) staff were observed standing in the hallway less than 2 (two) feet apart.

On 11/3/2020 at 1:08 PM, the surveyor inquired why there was not 6 (six) feet in distance between chairs in waiting areas. The Infection Prevention Coordinator stated some patients are accompanied by another, so chairs were not separated.

On 11/3/2020 at 1:30 PM, the surveyor requested COVID-19 policies related to physical distancing. The Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) stated, the hospital did not have a policy related to physical distancing. However, she provided the surveyor with an "Announcement" that was distributed through the "Maine General Health Connect" website with a category titled, "Physical Distancing" to advise "maintaining six feet distance between people".

On 11/4/2020 at 8:09 AM, 5 (five) people were observed getting on an elevator together, not able to maintain 6 (six) feet distance from one another on the elevator. Additionally, at 8:14 AM, 4 (four) people were observed exiting another elevator, unable to maintain six (6) feet distance between each other on the elevator. No visual alerts (signs) by the elevator encourage physical distancing in relation to the elevator.