Failure to Accurately Track and Document Employee Illnesses for Return to Work
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that employee illnesses were properly tracked and documented to determine when staff could safely return to work, as required by their infection prevention and control program. Review of employee absence and illness logs from February through June 2025 revealed incomplete documentation for three sampled staff members, including missing information on symptom resolution, test results, and clearance for return to work. For example, a housekeeping aide returned to work after reporting a fever, but there was no documentation of symptom resolution. Similarly, a speech therapist returned after a sore throat and COVID testing, but the log lacked evidence of test results. A certified nursing assistant returned to work after experiencing diarrhea, but there was no documentation of symptom resolution or whether the illness was potentially norovirus. Interviews with the administrator confirmed that employees were expected to report symptoms to the DON, who would then review their health status for clearance to return to work. However, the administrator was not aware of the specific illness or treatment for the certified nursing assistant, and the illness logs did not consistently reflect accurate tracking or clearance procedures. Policy review indicated that staff were required to report certain infections to the infection preventionist and to seek evaluation if symptoms persisted or worsened, but these procedures were not consistently followed or documented.