Failure to Offer and Document COVID-19 Vaccination for New Hires
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that newly hired employees' records contained evidence of being offered the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccination or documentation of their vaccination status. Specifically, four out of five new hires did not have documentation in their personnel files indicating that they had been offered the most recent COVID-19 vaccine, as recommended by the CDC. These employees, including nurses, an activity assistant, and a maintenance assistant, were actively working in the facility without this required documentation. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Human Resources staff provided new hires with a list of required items, including proof of current COVID-19 vaccination, but did not verify whether the offer of the most recent vaccine was documented. The Infection Preventionist confirmed that the facility did not offer the COVID-19 vaccine or boosters to new staff upon hire, which accounted for the lack of documentation in the employee files. This failure to offer and document the COVID-19 vaccination for new hires was identified through personnel record review and staff interviews.