HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to follow Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19 by not appropriately screening staff and patients for symptoms prior to entrance to the facility.

Findings include:

Observation on 5/28/20 at 9:15 a.m., of a unidentified out-patient (P)-1 entering the facility for an appointment. P1 was screened at the front entrance by facility staff. The screening included asking the patient if he had a fever. The staff did not actively take P1's temperature.

Interview with certified medical assistant (CMA)-A on 5/28//20, at 9:30 a.m. confirmed hospital out-patients who checked in at the clinic entrance, were not required to have an active temperature check. CMA-A indicated staff are only required to ask patients if they currently have a fever.

Observation on 5/28/20, at 10:00 a.m. of the employee time clock (where employees sign into work) located at the end of a patient care hallway. An employee infectious disease screening log was observed at the time clock for staff to complete, prior to work. The log instructed employees to take their temperature and document results. There were no active screeners observed at the employee entrance door.

Interview on 5/28/20, at 11:00 a.m. the director of nursing (DON) confirmed the above screening process for hospital out-patients and employees. The DON indicated the facility did not require employee active screening, but did require employees to self screen for COVID-19 symptoms. The DON further included facility staff did not take their temperatures at the entrance of the facility, but rather at the time clock. (located at the end of a patient care hallway). The DON also confirmed hospital out-patients were not required to have an active temperature taken when entering the hospital.

Interview on 5/28/20, at 9:45 a.m. with housekeeper (HK)-A confirmed the above current screening process for staff. Employees did not require an active temperature check prior to entering the facility for work. HK-A indicated the staff were required to take their own temperature and self-screen for symptoms. HK-A further confirmed this was done at the time clock, that was located at the end of a patient care hall and not upon entry to the facility.

Interview on 5/28/20, at 9:50 a.m. certified nursing assistant (CNA)-A confirmed the above current screening process for staff. Employees did not require an active temperature check prior to entering the facility for work. CNA-A indicated the staff were required to take their own temperature and self-screen for symptoms. CNA-A further confirmed this was done at the time clock, that was located at the end of a patient care hall and not upon entry to the facility.

Interview on 5/28/20, at 10:00 a.m. registered nurse (RN)-A confirmed the above current screening process for staff. Employees did not require an active temperature check prior to entering the facility for work. RN-A indicated the staff were required to take their own temperature and self-screen for symptoms. RN-A further confirmed this was done at the time clock, that was located at the end of a patient care hall and not upon entry to the facility.

Review of a patient screening form, included questions to ask patients during the screening process. The questions included asking the patient if they currently had a fever, rather than requiring an active temperature check.

Review of a facility policy Infection Prevention and Control Plan for COVID-19 dated 5/22/20, indicated all employees are asked to self-screen for fever and COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering any patient care areas. Employees will attest to lack of COVID-19 symptoms when logging into their work stations.