Failure to Report Communicable Diseases
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a system for reporting communicable diseases, specifically COVID-19, for residents in accordance with accepted national standards. This deficiency was identified through a review of the facility's policy on 'Transmission-Based Isolation Precautions,' which was last reviewed on January 7, 2025. The policy indicates that the facility is responsible for taking appropriate precautions to prevent the transmission of pathogens. However, the facility's COVID line listing showed an outbreak beginning on December 27, 2024, with the last resident testing positive on January 23, 2025. The listing was not updated to include residents who tested positive on January 27 and January 28, 2025. During an observation and interview on January 28, 2025, a Registered Nurse (RN) was seen distributing N95 masks and placing PPE in hallways, indicating the presence of COVID-19 cases on multiple floors. The RN confirmed a resident had tested positive on the 3rd floor that day. Additionally, the Regional Vice President of Operations admitted that the facility failed to report new cases of COVID-19 after the initial two cases were reported on December 27, 2024. The Vice President acknowledged a lack of awareness regarding the need for continuous reporting of additional cases, leading to the facility's failure to report new COVID-19 cases.
Plan Of Correction
1. New cases of reportable diseases (covid) were reported to DOH via ERS system. Line listing for covid and all diseases/infections updated and tracked by facility IP/DON. 2. The NHA will be educated by VP of Operations or designee on reportable diseases to Pa DOH event reporting system. 3. An audit of reportable diseases will be completed weekly x 3 weeks then monthly x 2 months. 4. Results of audits submitted to facility QA process.