Failure to Provide and Document COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Offerings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide required education regarding the benefits and possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, did not offer the vaccine, and did not document either a refusal or administration of the vaccine in the medical records of two residents over the past 14 months. Both residents were cognitively intact and had medical conditions such as depression and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their medical records lacked documentation of COVID-19 vaccine education, offer, or outcome, despite interviews indicating that the residents recalled being offered the vaccine or refusing it due to past experiences. Additionally, the facility did not maintain documentation that staff were provided education about the benefits and risks of the COVID-19 vaccine, nor did it document that staff were offered the vaccine or given information on how to obtain it within the past 14 months. Interviews with the Infection Preventionist, DON, and Administrator revealed uncertainty about current CDC recommendations and an absence of recent education or vaccine offers for staff. The facility had 156 regular and contract staff, none of whom had documentation of COVID-19 vaccine education or offer in the reviewed period. The facility's own policy required that all staff and residents receive education about the COVID-19 vaccine, including information consistent with CDC and FDA guidance, and that the vaccine be offered with documentation of acceptance or refusal. Despite having access to the vaccine through the pharmacy and previous rounds of vaccination, the facility did not ensure ongoing compliance with these requirements for both residents and staff.