Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on the unprecedented global pandemic that resulted in the Presidential declaration of a State of National Emergency dated 03/13/20, medical record reviews, review of COVID-19 guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), observation, review of the facility's Coronavirus (COVID-19) policies, and staff interviews, the facility failed to implement effective and recommended infection control practices, including the implementation of appropriate isolation and quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the facility. This resulted in Immediate Jeopardy on 07/23/22 when Resident #153, who was mobile and left her room frequently, was not placed under quarantine upon being notified Resident #153's roommate (Resident #01) tested positive for COVID-19 in the emergency room (ER) at the hospital. On 07/26/22, the facility conducted broad-based testing and results confirmed five additional residents (Residents #22, #25, #37, #46, and #153) tested positive for COVID-19. Furthermore, the facility failed to monitor residents for possible signs and symptoms of COVID-19 at least daily, failed to ensure a cognitively impaired COVID-19 positive resident (Resident #46) wore a mask which covered her mouth and nose when outside of her room and did not smoke with residents who were negative for COVID-19, failed to ensure staff properly utilized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), failed to place new admissions who were unvaccinated under quarantine, and failed to place residents who were not fully vaccinated under quarantine as part of the facility's broad-based testing strategy. The lack of current effective infection control practices and prevalence of continued positive cases in the facility placed all 55 residents currently residing in the facility at potential risk for serious life-threatening harm, negative health outcomes/complications, and/or death related to the facility's failure to control the COVID-19 outbreak.
On 07/28/22 at 12:25 P.M., the Administrator and Director of Nursing (DON) were notified Immediate Jeopardy began on 07/23/22 when the facility was notified that Resident #01 tested positive for COVID-19 in the ER at the hospital and Resident #01's roommate (Resident #153) was not placed under quarantine. On 07/26/22 at 9:38 A.M., Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #1005 confirmed Resident #153 was mobile and left her room frequently in her wheelchair. Five additional residents (Residents #22, #25, #37, #46, and #153) tested positive for COVID-19 on 07/26/22. Additionally, on 07/26/22 at 10:55 A.M., 12:01 P.M., 12:57 P.M., and 1:02 P.M. Resident #46, who tested positive for COVID-19 and was cognitively impaired, was observed wandering around the facility while not wearing PPE appropriately and facility staff made no attempts to intervene. On 07/26/22 at 12:57 P.M., Resident #46 was observed outside smoking within six feet of Resident #154 who was unvaccinated. There were no facility staff present to monitor the smoking patio. Resident #154, who was unvaccinated and newly admitted to the facility, was not placed under quarantine upon admission. Six residents (Residents #03, #04, #24, #36, #149, and #154) were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated and were not placed under quarantine as part of the facility's broad-based testing strategy. Finally, observations from 07/25/22 through 07/28/22 revealed multiple facility staff (Cook #731, State Tested Nurse Aide [STNA] #787, [NAME] #719, Dietary Aide #730, and STNA #792) were observed not wearing PPE appropriately.
The Immediate Jeopardy was removed on 08/04/22, when the facility implemented the following corrective actions:
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On 07/26/22 at 11:00 A.M., all residents were tested for COVID-19 and Residents #22, #25, #37, #46, and #153 were placed under isolation due to positive COVID-19 tests.
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On 07/26/22 at 3:00 P.M., the DON was educated by the Administrator on the admission Policy and CDC guidance summary of changes dated 02/22/22. The facility policy is to place unvaccinated and partially vaccinated residents into a ten-day quarantine upon admission.
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On 07/26/22 at 3:00 P.M., the Administrator, DON, and other management staff began education with staff regarding when staff are within six feet of a resident who was on Transmission-Based Precautions (TBP) for COVID-19, the staff member must wear PPE which includes a N95 respirator, isolation gown, gloves, and eye protection.
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On 07/26/22 at 4:00 P.M., one-on-one supervision was started with Resident #46 to ensure compliance with infection control procedures such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing while smoking, and maintaining isolation protocols. In addition, the facility contacted the Local Health Department (LHD) for further guidance on options for ensuring Resident #46 was following protocol as the resident had behaviors and cognitive deficiencies. The LHD was in agreement with the protocols being implemented by the facility. The one-on-one supervision will continue throughout the duration of Resident #46's isolation.
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On 07/26/22 at 4:00 P.M., outside facilities were contacted to find a more appropriate facility who could admit a COVID-19 positive, cognitively impaired resident; however, facilities contacted were not accepting COVID-19 positive residents or were full at that time. The social worker will continue to contact potential placement options.
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On 07/26/22 at 5:00 P.M., a policy was developed to address residents that test positive for COVID-19 and are non-compliant with infection control protocols.
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On 07/27/22 at 12:00 P.M., Resident #153 was discharged from the facility to home per Resident #153's choice.
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On 07/27/22 at 3:00 P.M., the DON reviewed proper infection control procedures with all staff that were assigned to be a one-on-one with Resident #46. The new policy regarding residents that test positive for COVID-19 and are non-compliant with infection control protocols was reviewed with all staff assigned to the one-on-one with Resident #46.
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On 07/28/22 at 10:00 A.M., residents who were not fully vaccinated were placed in quarantine. The unvaccinated residents did not have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and their COVID-19 tests were negative. The residents who were not fully vaccinated included Residents #03, #04, #24, #25, #36, #149, and #154. Resident #25 tested positive for COVID-19 on 07/26/22 and was placed under isolation precautions on 07/26/22.
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On 07/28/22 at 10:45 A.M., PPE audits were initiated to ensure staff were properly wearing PPE and to ensure staff understood the PPE policy and procedures during a COVID-19 outbreak as well as the importance of wearing proper PPE when within six feet of a resident who was on droplet precautions for COVID-19. Audits will be completed every hour, each day for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak. The audits will be completed by the Administrator, DON, or designee.
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On 07/29/22, signs were placed on the door of every quarantined resident's room. The signs included verbiage regarding enhanced droplet contact precautions along with pictures showing N95 respirators, gloves, eye protections, and gowns.
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By 08/01/22 at 10:30 A.M., the Administrator, DON, and other management staff educated all staff, except [NAME] #720, regarding proper infection control procedures, when a resident is exposed to COVID-19, the proper protocols for residents under isolation and quarantine precautions, the protocols for residents who have confirmed or suspected COVID-19, and admission policy procedures regarding quarantine of new residents if partially vaccinated or unvaccinated. Any staff who was not educated would be educated prior to their next working shift. All training will be completed by 08/10/22 for staff. All new employees will be educated during new employee orientation.
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On 08/01/22 at 3:00 P.M., vitals and respiratory assessments were taken for all residents during the evening shift to identify any other residents that may be exhibiting signs or symptoms. A protocol was initiated for staff to take vitals on all residents each shift for the duration of the outbreak and testing was to be performed on all staff and residents in accordance with CDC guidance on testing frequency and duration. Vitals would continue to be monitored daily after the outbreak to assess for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
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On 08/02/22 at 3:00 P.M., the DON clarified the COVID-19 quarantine versus isolation orders in the charts by making three separate orders. The orders included COVID-19 Droplet/Contact Quarantine for ten days due to exposure to COVID-19. All resident services will be provided in room. or COVID-19 Droplet/Contact Quarantine for ten days due to being partially vaccinated or unvaccinated for COVID-19. All resident services will be provided in room. or Resident in Contact and Droplet Isolation for positive COVID-19 status. All services provided to resident in a private room.
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By 08/03/22 at 12:30 P.M., all agency staff who were currently working had been educated by the Administrator, DON, or other management staff. All agency staff will be educated prior to working next shift. The education included proper infection control procedures, when a resident is exposed to COVID-19, the proper protocols for residents under isolation and quarantine precautions, the protocols for residents who have confirmed or suspected COVID-19, and admission policy procedures regarding quarantine of new residents if partially vaccinated or unvaccinated.
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On 08/03/22 at 1:45 P.M., the DON reviewed all current orders and updated them to reflect the difference between quarantine and isolation.
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Interviews on 08/04/22 at 11:17 A.M. with agency STNA #851, at 11:19 A.M. with Registered Nurse (RN) #767, and at 1:20 P.M. with LPN #1005, revealed they received education related to infection control policies and procedures. Each staff member was knowledgeable regarding proper infection control procedures.
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Observations completed on 08/04/22 from 10:45 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. revealed facility staff were wearing appropriate PPE throughout the facility. Staff were observed donning and doffing PPE correctly, including disinfecting eye protection and N95 masks in between rooms.
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The facility policies including the admission policy, non-compliant residents testing positive for COVID-19 policy, COVID-19 resident screens policy, COVID assessment policy, COVID-19 positive resident policy, COVID-19 resident status policy, Respiratory-Hygiene-Cough-Etiquette policy, contact precautions policy, and PPE illustrations, along with current CDC recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes will be reviewed with all staff by 08/10/22. All staff will be trained through scheduled in-services on 08/08/22, 08/09/22, and 08/10/22, and new staff will receive training in orientation.
Although the Immediate Jeopardy was removed on 08/04/22, the facility remains out of compliance at Severity Level 2 (no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm that is not Immediate Jeopardy) as the facility is still in the process of implementing their corrective action and monitoring to ensure ongoing compliance.
Findings Include:
1) Review of Resident #01's medical record revealed an original admission date on 10/06/21 and readmission dates on 07/05/22 and 07/29/22. Resident #01's medical diagnoses included COVID-19 (07/29/22), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), unspecified asthma, and Type II diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy.
Review of the admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, dated 07/12/22, revealed Resident #01 had intact cognition and required extensive assistance from one staff to complete all Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), except bed mobility and eating.
Review of the progress note dated 07/23/22 at 3:28 P.M. revealed Resident #01 was unable to sit up on her own and was lethargic in the morning on 07/23/22. Resident #01 was sweating but did not have a temperature on three different thermometers. Resident #01 was administered a COVID-19 test and Resident #01 was negative for COVID-19. Resident #01 was sent out to the hospital for evaluation and treatment after receiving instructions from Physician Assistant (PA) #852. Resident #01 was sent to the hospital via 911 (emergency medical services) where she was admitted with a diagnosis of COVID-19. PA #852 and the DON were notified.
Review of the Respiratory Infection Screener assessments for Resident #01 revealed no assessments had been completed on Resident #01 prior to Resident #01 being sent to the hospital on [DATE].
Review of Resident #01's care plan dated 07/07/22 revealed Resident #01 was at risk for an alteration in psychosocial well-being related to medically imposed restrictions related to COVID-19 precautions. Resident #01 was at risk for infection related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions included follow facility protocol for COVID-19 screening/precautions, monitor temperature and respiratory status daily as per facility policy and notify the physician of abnormal findings promptly, and observe for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and document and report signs and symptoms promptly.
Review of Resident #153's medical record revealed an admission date of 07/11/22. Medical diagnoses included paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and COVID-19 (added 07/26/22).
Review of the admission MDS assessment dated [DATE] revealed Resident #153 had intact cognition and required extensive assistance from one to two staff to complete ADLs. Resident #153 used a walker and a wheelchair.
Review of Respiratory Infection Screener assessments revealed Resident #153 did not have any assessments completed prior to testing positive for COVID-19 on 07/26/22.
Review of a progress note dated 07/26/22 at 7:47 P.M. revealed Resident #153 was on a ten-day isolation for COVID-19 with no symptoms.
Review of Resident #153's vaccination status revealed Resident #153 was unvaccinated and refused to be vaccinated for COVID-19.
Interview on 07/25/22 at 9:38 A.M., with the DON and Business Office Manager (BOM) #717 revealed the facility had four residents (Residents #01, #48, #150, and #156) who tested positive for COVID-19. Resident #48 and Resident #150 tested positive in the facility and remained on isolation droplet precautions. Resident #156 had been sent to the hospital for other medical concerns, tested positive for COVID-19 during the hospitalization, and remained out of the facility. On 07/23/22, Resident #01 displayed possible signs and symptoms of COVID-19 which included lethargy and sweating. The facility sent Resident #01 to the hospital for treatment and Resident #01 tested positive for COVID-19 in the ER upon arrival at the hospital.
Observation on 07/25/22 at 12:30 P.M. of Resident #153 (Resident #01's roommate) revealed Resident #153 remained in the room without any evidence of being under quarantine or TBP.
Review of the COVID-19 timeline on 07/26/22 at 11:00 A.M., provided by the DON, revealed five residents (Residents #22, #37, #46, #25, and #153) tested positive for COVID-19 on 07/26/22.
Interview on 07/26/22 at 2:22 P.M. with the DON, confirmed Resident #153 was not placed under quarantine or TBP due to possible exposure after her roommate (Resident #01) tested positive for COVID-19 on 07/23/22. The DON also confirmed the staff were not expected to monitor residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 unless the facility was in an outbreak.
Interview on 07/27/22 at 9:38 A.M. with LPN #1005 revealed Resident #153 was mobile, used a wheelchair, and would frequently leave her room in her wheelchair and ambulate around the unit as well as off the unit prior to testing positive for COVID-19 on 07/26/22. LPN #1005 confirmed Resident #153 had not been placed under quarantine or TBP prior to testing positive for COVID-19 on 07/26/22.
Interview via telephone on 07/27/22 at 11:08 A.M. with RN/Infection Preventionist (IP) #850 revealed if a resident tested positive for COVID-19 and had a roommate, she would expect the facility staff to separate the residents, isolate the resident who tested positive for COVID-19, and place the roommate under quarantine precautions for monitoring. Both residents under isolation and under quarantine should be cared for by staff wearing full PPE which included an N95 respirator, gloves, gown, and eye protection.
Review of the facility policy COVID-19 Routine Resident Screens, revised 03/2019, revealed the policy stated, when a suspected case of COVID-19 was identified in the facility, the facility should do the following: follow COVID-19 precautions for the roommate for 14 days while screening every four hours. Facility to complete the resident screen daily providing no suspected cases are in the facility.
Review of the facility policy Cohorting of Residents, revised June 2020, revealed the policy stated, Residents who test positive for COVID-19 will be separated from residents who test negative for COVID-19 using the following strategies: place residents together by COVID-19 status, cohort positive residents in designated COVID-19 area when possible, roommates of residents with COVID-19 will be considered exposed and potentially infected and will not share a room with other asymptomatic or negative residents for 14 days. Roommates of residents with COVID-19 will be quarantined for 14 days in designated COVID-19 area if at all possible, however residents that have been exposed and considered potentially infected will be isolated in place with other potentially exposed or positive residents when space does not permit being moved to a designated area. Then isolation in place guidelines will be followed. In addition, the following steps will be taken: monitoring of residents at least three times daily, initiate COVID-19 precautions, ex: mask, gowns, eye protection and gloves when within six feet and providing care and services and continue COVID-19 precautions for CDC recommended length of time.
Review of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance titled Manage Residents who had Close Contact with Someone with SARS-CoV-2 Infection, dated 02/02/22, revealed the guidance stated, Residents who are not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses and who have had close contact with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection should be placed in quarantine after their exposure, even if viral testing is negative. Healthcare personnel (HCP) caring for them should use full PPE (gowns, gloves, eye protections, and N95 or higher-level respirator). Residents can be removed from Transmission-Based Precautions (TBP) after day ten following the exposure (day zero) if they do not develop symptoms.
2) Review of the medical record for Resident #46 revealed an admission date of 08/29/17. Medical diagnoses included schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus, dementia in other diseases classified elsewhere with behavioral disturbance, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, cognitive communication deficit, and COVID-19 (07/26/22).
Review of the quarterly MDS assessment dated [DATE] revealed Resident #46 had impaired cognition and scored a six out of 15 on the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) assessment. Resident #46 displayed inattention, disorganized thinking, verbal behaviors toward others (threatening, screaming, cursing, etc.), rejection of care, and wandering behaviors. Resident #46 required supervision with set up help only or physical help from one staff to complete ambulation/locomotion, eating, transfers, and bed mobility. Resident #46 required extensive assistance from one staff to complete dressing, toileting, and hygiene tasks. Resident #46 used a walker for assistance.
Review of Resident #46's physician orders revealed an order dated 07/26/22 for COVID precautions for ten days every shift.
Review of the Respiratory Infection Screener assessments revealed Resident #46 did not have a respiratory screening assessment completed prior to the resident testing positive for COVID-19 on 07/26/22.
Review of Resident #46's progress notes dated 07/01/22 to 08/01/22 revealed there were no notes related to Resident #46 testing positive for COVID-19 on 07/26/22.
Review of Resident #46's care plan, revised 06/24/22, revealed Resident #46 was alert; however, her cognition was impaired. The care plan further revealed Resident #46 was an elopement risk/wanderer with a history of attempts to leave the facility unattended, impaired safety awareness, significantly intrudes on privacy or activities, and walks throughout the facility for a significant amount of time every day. Additionally, Resident #46 was at risk for complications related to actual COVID-19 infection (added 07/26/22). Interventions included administer medications and treatments as ordered and report any adverse effects or ineffectiveness to the physician, coordinate/collaborate with the local health department for alternative placement related to difficulty in maintaining contact/droplet precautions due to impaired cognitive/safety/judgement, maintain droplet/contact isolation per facility policy, monitor for signs and symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste, fever, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, monitor vital signs as ordered, provide education related to hand hygiene, provide one-on-one care to assist in maintaining contact/droplet isolation, and staff to offer/assist with mask placement and reapproach as needed.
Observations on 07/26/22 at 10:55 A.M., 12:01 P.M., 12:57 P.M., and 1:02 P.M. of Resident #46 revealed Resident #46 was out of her room with her mask placed below her mouth and nose, ambulating independently down the hallways with her walker.
Interview on 07/26/22 at 11:10 A.M. with LPN #753 confirmed Resident #46 had tested positive for COVID-19 and she was not sure how the facility was going to keep Resident #46 isolated because Resident #46 had a history of becoming violent. LPN #753 stated the facility's initial task was to attempt to get Resident #46 to wear a mask inside the building.
Observation on 07/26/22 at 12:57 P.M., revealed Resident #46 was ambulating down the hall independently with her walker and Resident #46's nose was uncovered. Resident #46 entered the designated smoking area. Resident #154 (who was unvaccinated) was smoking and Resident #46 immediately pulled her mask down and sat within one foot of Resident #154. There were no staff present on the smoking patio. At 1:02 P.M., Resident #46 entered the facility again with her mask around her neck. Resident #46 requested a lighter from Registered Nurse (RN) #767. RN #767 informed Resident #46 she did not have a lighter and Resident #46 continued walking and sat down in the common area with several doctors and interns. RN #767 did not remind Resident #46 to place her mask over her nose and mouth.
Interview on 07/26/22 at 1:03 P.M. with RN #767 confirmed she was aware Resident #46 had tested positive for COVID-19 and was not wearing a mask over her nose and mouth while ambulating throughout the building. RN #767 confirmed Resident #46 sat in the common area without a facial covering in place. RN #767 confirmed she did not intervene to remind Resident #46 to place the mask over her nose and mouth.
Interview on 07/26/22 at 2:51 P.M. with the DON confirmed Resident #46 tested positive for COVID-19 and wandered throughout the facility without appropriate PPE in place. The DON stated Resident #46 was confused and non-compliant with following isolation protocols. The DON stated, I don't know what to do with her. The DON stated when staff approached Resident #46 constantly, Resident #46 became agitated and aggressive. The DON contacted the local health department (after surveyor intervention) for advice and stated Resident #46 would be placed on one-to-one supervision with a staff member while the facility looked for alternative placement for Resident #46 to complete her isolation period.
Interview on 07/27/22 at 11:08 A.M. via telephone with RN/Infection Preventionist (IP) #850 revealed, when a resident tested positive for COVID-19 and was non-compliant with isolation protocols, she would expect the facility staff to encourage the resident to isolate and wear a mask appropriately. If that did not work, the facility should search for alternative placement at a facility with a COVID unit for the resident to complete the isolation period. In the meantime, facility staff should stay with the resident at all times, including when the resident was out on the smoking patio, in order to monitor the resident's movements and try to limit other residents from potentially being exposed.
Review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance titled Quarantine and Isolation, dated 03/30/22, revealed the guidance stated, if you tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms regardless of vaccination status, isolate from others for five days. Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be around others. Take precautions until day ten including wear a well-fitting mask for ten full days any time you are around others and avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. In certain high-risk congregate settings that have high risk of secondary transmission and where it is not feasible to cohort people, CDC recommends a ten-day isolation period for residents.
3) Review of the facility matrix on 07/25/22 at 11:30 A.M. revealed Residents #154 and #157 were admitted within the last ten days.
Observations on 07/25/22 at 12:45 P.M. revealed Residents #154 and #157 had a sign on their doors which indicated they were under TBP; however, there was no cart with PPE placed near Resident #154 and Resident #157's doors.
Review of the COVID Quarantine and COVID Precautions list on 07/25/22 at 4:30 P.M. provided by the DON revealed Residents #154, and #157 were under COVID Precautions.
Observation and interview on 07/26/22 at 1:23 P.M. with STNA #851 on the rehabilitation unit confirmed Resident #153, Resident #19, and Resident #25 were under isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19 and staff were required to wear full PPE to care for those residents. STNA #851 stated she was not aware Resident #154 or Resident #157 were under any TBP related to COVID-19.
Interview on 07/26/22 at 3:30 P.M. with the DON revealed new admissions and readmissions who were not fully vaccinated were placed under COVID precautions for ten days to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The DON stated the staff were only required to wear a N95 respirator and eye protection and were not required to wear a isolation gown or gloves. The DON stated the residents really don't need to be placed under precautions because they have tested negative in the hospital and upon admission to the facility, but the facility has been doing it anyway as an extra precaution.
Review of the CDC website community transmission rate on 07/26/22 at 3:40 P.M. revealed the facility's county was in a high transmission area.
Review of the facility's vaccination status for all residents on 07/26/22 at 5:00 P.M. revealed the facility had five residents (Residents #03, #04, #24, #36, and #154) who had refused COVID-19 vaccinations and were unvaccinated. The facility also had one resident (Resident #149) who had only received the first vaccination dose of a two-dose primary series and was considered partially vaccinated.
Interview on 07/27/22 at 9:00 A.M. with LPN #1005 revealed she would know if a resident was on TBP because she would receive the information in report at the beginning of her shift, a PPE cart would be outside or near the resident's door, and there would be a sign posted on the resident's door. LPN #1005 stated if there was not a sign posted on the door, she would assume the resident was not on any TBP. LPN #1005 stated for new admissions, who were not fully vaccinated, the only PPE required to care for those residents was a N95 respirator and eye protection. Full PPE including an isolation gown and gloves was only required for COVID-19 positive residents.
Interview on 07/27/22 at 11:08 A.M. via telephone with RN/IP #850 confirmed if a resident was not fully vaccinated and was a new admission, readmission, or the facility was in an outbreak, then she would expect the resident to be placed under quarantine, tested for COVID-19, and monitored for ten days to make sure they were not positive for COVID-19.
Interview on 07/27/22 at 1:00 P.M. with the Administrator revealed the facility did not have a COVID-19 testing policy in place. The facility followed the most recent QSO memo (from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) related to testing of residents and staff.
Interview on 07/27/22 at 2:00 P.M. with the DON revealed the facility was using a broad-based testing approach. All residents and staff were tested twice a week when the facility identified a new COVID-19 positive case. The DON was not aware that all residents who were not fully vaccinated should be placed under quarantine and TBP, even if they tested negative, until the facility reached 14 days without any additional positive COVID-19 cases.
Interview on 07/27/22 at 5:24 P.M. with the Administrator and DON confirmed Resident #154, who was a new admission and was not fully vaccinated, was not cared for by staff using full PPE including an isolation gown, gloves, N95 respirator, and eye protection. The DON revealed she was unsure why Resident #157 had been placed under TBP. Resident #157 was a new admission and was fully vaccinated. The DON stated she misunderstood the guidance and thought full PPE was only needed for residents who had a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. The DON confirmed all residents who were not fully vaccinated (Residents #03, #04, #24, #36, #149, and #154), even if tested negative for COVID-19, had not been placed under quarantine or cared for by staff using full PPE as a part of the facility's chosen broad based testing strategy.
Review of the CDC guidance titled Infection Control for Nursing Homes: Interim Guidelines for Managing Residents and HCP in Nursing Homes, dated 02/02/22, revealed the guidance under the section titled New Admissions and Residents Who Leave the Facility, stated, in general, all residents who are not up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses and are new admissions and readmissions should be placed in quarantine, even if they have a negative test upon admission, and should be tested as described in the testing section above; COVID-19 vaccination should also be offered. Furthermore, the guidance under the section titled New Infection in Healthcare Personnel or Residents, stated, Because of the risk of u[TRUNCATED]