Failure to Enforce Staff Mask Use Under COVID-19 Infection Control Protocol
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to enforce its infection prevention and control program related to COVID-19 by not ensuring mandated mask use for staff. During an observation in the kitchen while breakfast was being served, the surveyor observed the Dietary Manager not wearing a mask, despite a mandate from the Infection Preventionist that all staff wear masks following two other staff members testing positive for COVID-19. When the Dietary Manager noticed the surveyor, the manager smiled, giggled, and stated they were just going to put a mask on. In a subsequent interview, the DON reported that when staff reported they had COVID, the management team requested a second COVID test and, if positive, tested all staff and residents according to CDC guidelines on the first, third, and fifth days. The DON also stated that, in this context, mask-wearing was mandated for all staff working, confirming that the Dietary Manager’s failure to wear a mask occurred while a universal staff masking requirement was in effect.
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