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NORTHERN MAINE MEDICAL CENTER

194 E MAIN STREET

FORT KENT, ME 04743

INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAM

Tag No.: A0749

Based on document review, observations, and interviews, the hospital failed to implement the United States Centers for Disease Control's ("US CDC's") recommendations during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic related to visual alerts for face coverings and hand hygiene five (5) of nine (9) waiting areas and two (2) of two (2) elevators. This failure has the potential to affect all patients.

Findings:

The US CDC's "Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendation for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic", updated 12/14/2020, states, "Post visual alert (e.g. signs, posters) at strategic places (waiting areas, elevators, and cafeterias) to provide instructions (in appropriate languages) about wearing a cloth face covering or face mask for source control and how and when to perform hand hygiene."

1. On 1/19/2021 at 1:48 PM, no visual alerts, related to face coverings or hand hygiene, were observed near or inside the Patient/Visitor elevator. On 1/20/2021 at 4:05 PM, the Director of Quality confirmed this finding.

2. On 1/19/2021 at 2:40 PM, no visual alerts, related to face coverings or hand hygiene, were observed in the waiting area for the Outpatient Respiratory Clinic-Family Nurse Practitioner Office. On 1/21/2021 at 10:45 AM, the Quality Coordinator confirmed this finding.

3. On 1/19/2021 at 3:48 PM, no visual alerts, related to face coverings or hand hygiene, were observed near or inside the Employee Service elevator. On 1/20/2021 at 4:05 PM, the Director of Quality confirmed this finding.

4. On 1/20/2021 at 1:00 PM, no visual alerts, related to face coverings or hand hygiene, were observed in the waiting area for the Outpatient Laboratory #1. On 1/21/2021 at 10:45 AM, the Quality Coordinator confirmed this finding.

5. On 1/20/2021 at 1:05 PM, no visual alerts, related to hand hygiene, were observed in the waiting area for the Emergency Department. On 1/21/2021 at 1:15 PM, the Director of Quality confirmed this finding.

6. On 1/21/2021 at 8:45 AM and 9:10 AM, no visual alerts related to face coverings or hand hygiene were observed in the waiting area for the Outpatient Laboratory #2. On 1/21/2021 at 10:45 AM, the Quality Coordinator confirmed this finding.