HospitalInspections.org

Based on policy and procedure review, observations and staff interview, the facility failed to adhere to COVID-19 staff and visitor screening requirements. This deficient practice had the potential to negatively affect the entire facility census of 111 patients.

Finding include:

On arrival to the facility main lobby on 12/21/2020 at 10:45 AM one facility staff member wearing a mask proceeded to conduct a COVID-19 screening. He/she inquired about temperature and travel. No other screening questions were asked. While surveyors awaited administrative staff, a patient presented for admission and was attended by Emergency Medical Service staff. Again, facility staff only screened for temperature and travel, no questions regarding COVID symptoms or exposure to positive patients was performed. Review of the screening forms for the morning of 12/20/2020 revealed the temperatures were documented and the screening questions were all marked as completed with "no" responses, which indicated there were no concerns with symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. Review of one facility staff member, Staff C, the COVID screening documented she was sick with a cough, afebrile with a temperature of 97.9 F, and a handwritten notation that just read "bronchitis."

Review of the facility's policy and procedure titled, "COVID Screening," last reviewed on 04/2020, revealed the facility will have a controlled entrance for all staff, patients and visitors. All persons entering the building will have a screening for travel to international areas of COVID-19 risk, or within the United States to or from a hotspot as designated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and screening for physical signs and symptoms. Screeners should ask the following questions of visitors presenting to the facility:
Do you have any of the following symptoms?
Fever greater than 100.4 F
Severe Headache
Muscle or joint pain
weakness
Cough with SOB (shortness of breath)
Difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Other flu-like symptoms
Has the patient/visitor come in contact with anyone who has been suspected of having Coronavirus, or has cared for someone who has been suspected, within the last 21 days?

Interview with Administrative Staff A on 12/21/2020 at 2:30 PM revealed all staff, visitors and patients entered through the main door. Screeners were scheduled between the hours of 7:00 AM and 4:30 PM daily. If a screener was not present staff was instructed to do their own screening and drop the forms into the slotted box at the end of the screening table. Staff A verbalized that all staff were encouraged to stay at home if they were sick and to notify administrative staff if they had any symptoms of an upper respiratory illness and await further guidance. When Staff A was questioned about Staff C's abnormal COVID screening, she verbalized she should have been notified to assess Staff C more in depth and determine if Staff C should have been denied entrance. Staff A confirmed screening was not being done per facility policy.