COVID-19 Fatal to Over One-Third of Residents in Massachusetts Nursing Home
A Massachusetts nursing home recently reported that 49 of its residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. The facility was at its near capacity of 135 beds when the coronavirus pandemic began. In just a few weeks, over one-third of all the residents have contracted the disease and died, and another 67 residents and 73 staff members have also tested positive for COVID-19.
Staff members have expressed their belief that the reason the virus spread so quickly is that many residents with the virus were asymptomatic, and many residents are still asymptomatic.
The facility’s spokeswoman reported the facility has separated residents who have tested negative into another area of the nursing home, and that residents and staff members are being monitored daily.
The administrator for the nursing home gave assurances that the facility has an adequate number of staff, and many of the employees who tested positive but were asymptomatic are back at work. The administrator did not make it clear whether those returning staff members had been re-tested for the virus.
The nursing home’s administrator issued this statement in an email, “We are seeing some encouraging signs of recovery among our symptomatic COVID-19 positive residents. However, this is a disease that requires continued vigilance, particularly with older and more vulnerable populations.” He gave his assurance that the nursing home will continue to be focused on returning its residents back to health.
Compliance Perspective
Failing to test all residents and staff for COVID-19 or other suspected infectious viruses when a growing number of residents begin experiencing respiratory problems in order to determine if any are asymptomatic and can spread the disease, and failing to have staff use personal protection equipment (PPE) and faithfully practice sanitary handwashing protocols may result in placing non-infected residents in Immediate Jeopardy for contracting COVID-19 or other infection, along with staff members. This may be deemed provision of substandard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures to ensure that the facility is aware of and practicing CMS and CDC recommended COVID-19 long-term facility guidance on infection control.
- Train staff regarding CMS and CDC recommended COVID-19 long-term facility guidance on infection control.
- Periodically audit to ensure that staff and residents are following the facility’s Infection Control Plan and adhering to CMS and CDC recommended COVID-19 long-term facility guidance on infection control.
You can find the CMS and CDC’s COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Guidance at: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/4220-covid-19-long-term-care-facility-guidance.pdf
