HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to follow Minnesota Executive Order 20-51 and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) screening guidelines to actively screen staff upon entering the facility. In addition, the facility failed to screen visitors to the hospital. This had the potential to impact all patients, visitors, and staff at the facility.

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."

On 6/3/20, at 11:10 a.m. observations revealed staff and vendors entered the hospital in the loading dock area with masks worn, and had to badge in the locked door or use the phone to gain access to the locked door. The visitors entered through the north entrance, and staff members asked visitors in the vestibule if they had any symptoms, and then unlocked the door for them to enter. No temperature was taken.

On 6/3/20, at 6:45 p.m. the chief nursing officer (CNO) was interviewed and stated there had very few visitors to the hospital, as the hospital had a no visitor policy, except in certain situations such as compassionate visits for dying patients, and one support person for labor and delivery patients. Hospital staff have not been actively screening the temperature of visitors prior to allowing them access to the hospital. The CNO stated employees are attesting to be free from signs and symptoms of COVID-19 when they badged into the time clock. The CNO stated there was a staff member sitting where employees badged in, and they made sure staff had a mask on.

On 6/4/20, at 3:25 p.m. the interim infection preventionist (IP) stated the facility had a no visitor policy. The IP stated staff asked the screening questions prior to entering the facility. The IP stated there was a log for compassionate care visitors, and others were logged into the computer into the patient's chart. The IP stated the facility did not take the temperature of visitors or vendors, and employees attested to no fever or other COVID-19 symptoms.

The facility Wellness Screening Guidelines and Restriction policy dated 5/7/20, directed for the safety and health of our patients and staff, we are asking all patient care areas to implement visitor restrictions and screening. Screening tool applies to: visitors, contractors, and employees. No visitors are allowed on campus. All visitors will be screened, each time they visit, and must pass screening before entry. Individuals who are sick and not seeking care or have known exposure to someone suspected or confirmed with COVID-19 are not allowed to visit.