Failure to Offer and Document COVID-19 Vaccination and Education
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to offer the current COVID-19 vaccine and provide education regarding the vaccine to five sampled residents upon admission or seasonally, as required by CDC guidance. Record reviews for these residents showed that none were up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations, and there was no documentation indicating that the vaccine had been offered or that education about the vaccine had been provided. The residents involved had various diagnoses, including muscle wasting, hypothyroidism, dysphagia, metabolic encephalopathy, hypertension, and septic pulmonary embolism. Interviews with facility leadership revealed that the Assistant Director of Nursing, who was identified as the infection preventionist, had not received training on the infection control program and was not tracking any related activities. Both the Director of Nursing and the Administrator stated that their expectation was for all residents to be offered the COVID-19 vaccine and to receive education about it. The Medical Director also confirmed that residents should be offered vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, on admission and seasonally, with appropriate education provided.