Finding Description
8. During the initial tour on 5/17/21 at 10:23 a.m., a small cart with gowns and gloves was observed outside of room D. There were also signs which indicated the residents in the room were on droplet precautions (a type of isolation where anyone entering the room was supposed to wear a mask, face shield, gown, and gloves to protect them from droplets in the air).
During an interview on 05/17/21 at 3:15 p.m., with licensed vocational nurse A (LVN A), LVN A stated everybody who entered Room D should have on full PPE (personal protective equipment).
During an interview on 5/20/21 at 8:45 a.m. with the senior administrator (SADM), Residents 97, 100, and 101, all in Room D, had been vaccinated and had a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction test, performed to detect genetic material from COVID-19 virus) prior to admission and an antigen test (detects the presence of the COVID-19 virus) upon admission. Their tests were negative for COVID-19. The residents in Room D all were from green facilities meaning no positive cases of COVID-19 in those facilities. The three residents should not have been in the yellow (observation) zone, but should have been on the green (safe) zone.
During an interview on 5/17/21 at 3:19 p.m. with the director of staff development (DSD), DSD stated
all the residents in Room D were fully vaccinated, had negative test results, and they were asymptomatic. DSD stated everybody entering Room D should wear goggles or face shield, gown, N95 mask, and wash their hands. DSD stated she gave in-services for COVID-19 updates on 3/10/21.
During an interview on 5/17/21 at 3:15 p.m. with LVN A, she stated everybody who entered Room D should have on full PPE.
During an interview on 5/17/21 at 4:23 p.m. with the social service assistant (SSA), SSA stated he was not sure if the three residents were positive or negative for COVID-19. SSA stated the residents said they had their vaccines for COVID. SSA stated he was not sure if the residents had any symptoms.
During an interview on 5/21/21 at 11 a.m. with the infection preventionist (IP), IP stated the three residents in Room D did not need to be in quarantine because of the new mitigation.
During the initial tour on 5/17/21 at 10:23 a.m., a small cart with gowns and gloves was observed outside room D. There were also signs which indicated the residents in the room were on droplet precautions (a type of isolation where anyone entering the room was supposed to wear a mask, face shield, gown, and gloves to protect them from droplets in the air).
During an interview on 05/17/21 at 3:15 p.m., with licensed vocational nurse A (LVN A), LVN A stated everybody who entered Room D should have on full PPE (personal protective equipment).
During an interview on 5/20/21 at 8:45 a.m. with the senior administrator (SADM), Residents 97, 100, and 101, all in room D, had been vaccinated and had a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction test, performed to detect genetic material from COVID-19 virus) prior to admission and an antigen test (detects the presence of the COVID-19 virus) upon admission. Their tests were negative for COVID-19. The residents in Room D all came from green facilities meaning no positive cases of COVID-19 in those facilities. The three residents should not have been in the yellow (observation) zone, but should have been ok the green (safe) zone.
During an interview on 5/17/21 at 3:19 p.m. with the director of staff development (DSD), DSD stated all the residents in room D were fully vaccinated, had negative test results, and they were asymptomatic. DSD stated everybody entering room D should wear goggles or face shield, gown, N95 mask, and wash their hands. DSD stated she gave in-services for COVID-19 updates on 3/10/21.
During an interview on 5/17/21 at 3:15 p.m. with LVN A, she stated everybody who entered room D should have on full PPE.
During an interview on 5/17/21 at 4:23 p.m. with the social service assistant (SSA), SSA stated he was not sure if the three residents were positive or negative for COVID-19. SSA stated the residents said they had their vaccines for COVID. SSA stated he was not sure if the residents had any symptoms.
During an interview on 5/21/21 at 11 a.m. with the infection preventionist (IP), IP stated the three residents in room D did not need to be in quarantine because of the new mitigation.
9. During an observation and subsequent interview on 5/20/21 at 2:19 p.m. with CNA E, CNA E rinsed a urine measuring container in the shared bathroom sink. CNA E stated she rinsed the urine measuring container in the sink.
During an interview on 5/21/21 at 2:52 p.m. with the director of clinical services (DCS), DCS stated if the toilet does not have a washer arm, the urine measure container needs to be rinsed in the utility room.
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure staff implemented proper infection control practices when:
1. Licensed vocational nurse A (LVN A) did not follow infection control practice during residents' wound treatment for sampled Residents 8 and 28;
2. The janitor/Housekeeper did not know the environmental disinfectant contain time (wet time, disinfectant maintain wet on the surface in order to kill the micro-organism) when cleaning the resident's room;
3. The facility did not implement the effective infection control practice when Resident 8 refused to do the wound treatment and shared the room with four residents;
4. Multiple residents did not wear mask or did not properly wear masks when leaving their room; multiple residents did not keep social distancing of at least six feet apart in the hallway;
5. COVID-19 screen concerns for visitor/staff;
6. LVN C did not perform hand hygiene and change gloves before starting a new task;
7. The facility failed to educate staff regarding proper cohorting (group of residents with the same infection are placed together) of newly admitted residents;
8. Staff were not aware of the COVID-19 cleared status of three residents placed in an observation room on droplet precautions;
9.Urine measuring container was rinsed out in resident bathroom sink.
These failures had the potential to result in cross-contamination and the spread of infections among the residents and staff.
Findings:
1a.During an observation on 5/18/2021 at 9:10 a.m., LVN A's gloved hand touched Resident 8's left foot when LVN A checked Resident 8's left lower leg wound. LVN A did not perform hand hygiene or change to a new pair of gloves. She continued to push Resident 8's wheelchair and table with the same gloved hands. Resident 8's uncovered breakfast tray was on the table.
During an interview with LVN A on 5/18/2021 at 9:15 a.m., she stated she should have performed hand hygiene after touching Resident 8's foot.
1b. During an observation on 5/18/2021 from 9:43 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., LVN A did the wound treatment for Resident 28. LVN A brought the whole box of clean gauze and gloves to the resident's bed during the wound treatment. The boxes of gauze and gloves were next to the trash bag that held the soiled wound dressing. LVN A also brought a tube of treatment medication, a packet of treatment dressing and a bottle of normal saline (to clean and disinfect the wound) to Resident 28's bedside table. LVN A did not perform hand hygiene after each glove removal during the treatment. After the treatment, LVN A put the used and uncleaned boxes of gloves from Resident 28's bed to the treatment cart next to a clean box of gloves. LVN A cleaned the used treatment medication tube, the treatment dressing packet and the normal saline bottle (from the resident's room) and then put these possibly contaminated supplies next to the clean supplies inside the treatment cart. LVN A put the used box of gauze (8/9 of gauzes remained inside the box) from the resident's room next to the clean supplies inside the treatment cart.
During an interview with LVN A on 5/18/2021 at 10 a.m. she stated she should have performed hand hygiene after each glove removal during the wound treatment for Resident 28. LVN A stated she should not have put the contaminated supplies next to the clean supplies in the treatment cart.
2. During an interview with the janitor M (also worked as a housekeeper) on 5/20/2021 at 2:50 p.m., he stated he also worked as a housekeeping to clean and disinfect the residents' rooms including the tables, bed side rails, TV remote controls, doorknobs, windows , sinks, toilets and floors. He stated he did not know the disinfectant's wet time. Janitor M stated he left the disinfectant wet on the surfaces for two to three minutes.
During an interview with the housekeeping supervisor (HKS) on 5/20/2021 at 3:50 p.m., he checked the disinfectant contact time and stated the disinfectant's wet time (same as contact time) is 10 minutes. HKS stated the staff should leave the disinfectant wet on the surface for 10 minutes when cleaning the residents' rooms.
3. Review of Resident 8's physician order dated 4/22/2021 indicated to soak the left lower leg with warm water, .allow resident to clean her own wound . every day shift related to cellulitis of left lower limb for 28 days. The physician's order dated 4/21/2021 indicated Resident may do her own wound care independently. Nursing may assist with getting the supplies upon request.
Review of nurses notes dated on 11/4/2020, 11/5/2020,11/7/2020, 11/10/2020, 1/7/2021, 2/11/2021, 4/25/2021, 4/26/2021, and 4/28/2021 indicated the facility nurses offered the wound treatment to Resident 8, however, the resident refused the wound treatment from the nurses.
During an observation on 5/17/2021 at 11:45 a.m., Resident 8 lay in bed with the black-brownish dry wound drainage on the left lower leg. The yellow-brownish wound drainage was noted on the bed sheet and on the room's floor.
During an observation on 5/17/2021 at 1:30 p.m., Resident 8 walked with a walker from the room to the hallway toward to the kitchen. Resident 8's left lower leg open wound was not covered .
During an observation on 5/18/2021 at 9:10 a.m., LVN A attempted to do the wound treatment for Resident 8. Resident 8 stated No, no, no. Resident 8 stated she could do the wound treatment by herself and did not want the nurse to do the wound treatment. Resident 8's left lower leg wound did not have a cover and had dry blood and brown drainage.
During an observation on 5/19/2021 at 10 a.m., Resident 8 sat on the edge of the bed. The open wound on the left lower leg was not covered. Brownish slough drainage was noted on the left lower leg.
During an observation on 5/20/2021 at 9:35 a.m., Resident 8 sat on the bed, her wound on the left lower leg was not covered and there was brown wound drainage noted on the lower leg.
During multiple observations from 5/17/2021 to 5/21/2021, Resident 8 shared the room with four residents. Residents 2 and 37 wheeled themselves in the room and the hallway. Resident 31 walked in the room and the hallway. The room had less than 80 square feet per person and required a room waiver.
Review of the Resident 8's room change record from 11/2020 to 5/19/2021, revealed there was no room change for Resident 8 due to infection control since Resident 8 had the uncovered open wound and shared the same room with four roommates.
During an interview with the senior administrator (SADM) on 5/21/2021 at 10 a.m., she stated the facility was focusing on Resident 8's care and the wound treatment refusal. However the facility should look at the whole picture of considering four other residents' infection control concerns because Resident 8's open wound was not covered, the wound drainage might be on the room floor and in the hallway. SADM stated the facility always had four to five empty rooms since 11/2020. SADM stated the facility should have arranged a room change for Resident 8 for the purpose of infection control.
4a. During an observation and concurrent interview in the hallway on 5/17/2021 at 11:14 a.m., Resident 37 wore a facial mask under her nose. Resident 37 stated the mask was too big and she forgot to cover her nose.
4b. During an observation on 5/17/2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Resident 28 sat in the wheelchair in the hallway with a facial mask under the nose.
4c. During an observation on 5/17/2021 at 11:20 a.m., Resident 2 sat in the wheelchair in the hallway with a facial mask under her nose. Resident 2 stated the mask was too big and she was unable to cover her nose.
4d. During an observation and concurrent interview with LVN B on 5/17/2021 at 11:37 a.m., Residents 2, 37 and 38 sat next to each other in wheelchairs in the hallway. They did not maintain social distancing of six feet apart. LVN B stated these residents did not keep social distancing of at least six feet apart. LVB B stated when the residents were out of the rooms, they should wear facial masks to cover their noses, mouths and chins.
4e.During an observation on 5/18/2021 at 10:58 a.m., Resident 30 sat in the chair next to Resident 43 less than one foot apart in the lobby while in front of the nurse station. The senior administrator stated the two residents should keep at least six feet apart.
4f. During an observation on 5/20/2021 at 3:00 p.m., Resident 28 sat in the hallway in a wheelchair without a facial mask. Resident 28 stated he forgot to wear a mask.
4g. During an observation on 5/20/2021 at 3:15 p.m., Resident 37 sat in the wheelchair in the hallway with a facial mask under her nose. Resident 37 stated the facial mask was too big.
5. During the entrance to the facility on 5/17/2021 at 8:05 a.m., registered nurse supervisor (RNS) screened visitors A, B, C, and E, by checking their temperatures. RNS did not individuallyask visitors A, B, C, D and E if they were experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
During a concurrent observation and interview with the RNS on 5/18/221 at 8:45 a.m., she acknowledged that she checked the temperatures of the two facility staff by the entrance door and did not ask each question regarding COVID-19 symptoms listed on the screening form.
During multiple observations on 5/18/2021 at 9:00 a.m., 5/19/21 at 10:30 a.m., 5/20/21 at 9:30 a.m., and 5/21/21 RNS screened visitors A, B, C, D & E by checking their temperatures. RNS did not ask visitors A, B, C, D & E each question regarding COVID-19 symptoms listed on the screening form.
During a concurrent interview and record review with the IP/DSD on 5/21/2021 at 1:20 p.m., the IP reviewed the facility's COVID-19 screening form and mitigation plan and stated the staff should ask visitors and employees the specific questions listed regarding COVID-19 symptoms.
Review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guidance titled, Preparing for COVID-19 in Nursing Homes, updated 11/20/2020 indicated, Screen visitors for fever (T?100.0oF), symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or known exposure to someone with COVID-19. Restrict anyone with fever, symptoms, or known exposure from entering the facility.
6. During a medication pass observation on 5/17/2021, at 4:32 p.m., with Resident 20's room, LVN C moved the trash can, then put on gloves, touched the bathroom doorknob and closed the door with gloved hands. LVN C then proceeded to administer Resident 20's medication without performing hand hygiene and changing gloves.
During an interview with LVN C on 5/17/2021, at 4:45 p.m., he agreed that his hand might have been contaminated after touching the trash can, and with gloved hands touched two door handles (front and back) to close it. LVN C stated he should have performed hand hygiene and changed gloves before proceeding with the medication administration.
Review of the facility's policy, dated January 2018, indicated, All personnel shall follow the handwashing/hand hygiene procedure to help prevent the spread of infections to other personnel, residents, and visitors. And, . Integration of glove use along with routine hand hygiene is recognized as the best practice for preventing healthcare-associated infections.
7. During a med pass observation on 5/17/2021, at 8:55 a.m., LVN A did not don full personal protective equipment (PPE, gown, mask or respirator, face shield, gloves) upon entry into Resident 97's room. LVN A was wearing gloves, goggles and an N95 (respirator). Signage was posted on the appropriate use of PPE to be used and the type of transmission-based precautions (TBP, isolation precaution) near the entrance of the resident's room.
During an interview on 5/17/2021, at 9:29 a.m., LVN C stated that she forgot to wear full PPE before entering the resident's room. She further stated that new admissions should be in the yellow zone (newly admitted residents who are being observed and monitored for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection).
During an interview with the Director of Staff Development (DSD), on 5/18/2021, at 8:45 a.m., DSD stated that newly admitted residents are put on isolation for 14 days and staff entering the resident's room are required to put on full PPE.
During an interview with the Senior Administrator (SADM) and DSD on 5/18/2021, at 10:05 a.m., SADM stated that newly admitted residents, who are fully vaccinated and COVID-19 (a respiratory disease caused by a virus called SARS-COV-2) negative do not require quarantine. DSD stated that Resident 97 was admitted during the weekend and facility staff were aware that Resident 97 should not be quarantined because the resident tested negative for COVID-19 and was fully vaccinated.
Review of an undated policy, titled, COVID-19 Mitigation Plan: New Admission indicated, AFL 20-53:3 Resident readmitted from the hospital or from other health care facility with laboratory confirmed negative COVID-19. Testing and Quarantine are not required unless there is a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 transmission at the outside facility.