Deficiency in New Hire Health Examinations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to comply with the mandatory infection control and sanitation requirement by not ensuring that newly hired employees received a health examination within the required time frame. Specifically, 9 out of 10 new employees did not receive an examination by a physician or advanced practice nurse within two weeks prior to their first day of employment or upon employment. Additionally, these employees did not receive a nursing assessment by a registered professional nurse on their first day of employment, which would have allowed for a deferral of the examination for up to 30 days. The Director of Nursing was unable to provide evidence of the required health examinations for these employees, and no facility policy and procedures for new hire health examinations were available to the surveyor.
Plan Of Correction
1. Corrective Action of Areas Affected: The facility cannot retroactively correct the identified concerns related to new hires no longer employed by the facility who did not receive a NJ Ex Order 26.4b1 in accordance to Federal/State regulations. The Staffing Coordinator/HR was re-inserviced on ensuring new hires obtain a health history/physical in accordance with federal and State regulations. 2. Other Areas Affected: All residents have the potential to be affected by this deficient practice. The facility conducted an audit of all employee files to verify the required health history/physical is present. Those identified in need will be obtained. 3. Systemic Changes to Prevent Future Occurrences: A new hire checklist has been implemented including health history/physical and other necessary information required upon employment. The Staffing Coordinator/HR is ensuring the required health history/physical has been obtained prior to employees beginning Orientation. 4. Monitoring of Corrective Action: The Staffing Coordinator/HR will complete an audit weekly x4 weeks, then monthly x2 months of new hires to verify the required health history/physical has been obtained prior to employees beginning Orientation. Results of the audits will be reported at the monthly Quality Assurance Improvement Meetings for review and recommendations.