A 71-year-old Utah nursing home resident was found dead after waiting in a drive-through line to be tested for COVID-19 at an area healthcare clinic’s parking lot. He was accompanied by a caregiver and the van driver. Testing-site caregivers reacted quickly and followed proper procedures by calling 911, but EMS responders were not able to revive the man.
Representatives from the healthcare clinic told news media that the wait time was generally less than 45 minutes. However, it was not known how long the man had been waiting to be tested.
The Deputy Chief of the local Fire District reported that the resident was found to be in “cardiac respiratory arrest.” The chief noted that cardiac respiratory arrest can be caused by a number of health issues including complications from COVID-19 or a heart attack. He also pointed out that EMS workers do not make diagnoses, but just treat the symptoms and signs they observe. An autopsy is expected to be performed and will provide the cause of the man’s death.
It was believed that the man was seeking a COVID-19 test in preparation for an upcoming surgery.
The mayor of the town noted that people are fearful about the Coronavirus outbreak and are anxious to get tested. However, he pointed out that on “any given day, you don’t know how many patients are going to show up to get tested” because “it’s not a pre-scheduling situation.” He advised people to understand the need be prepared for waiting in line for what could be several hours.
A spokesman from the healthcare clinic urged “anyone who is seriously ill to call 911 for help or go directly to a hospital emergency room, not to a COVID-19 drive-thru testing center.”
Compliance Perspective
Allowing residents who may already be seriously ill to leave the facility and wait inside a van during the summer heat for what might be hours prior to being tested for COVID-19 might be considered as placing them in “immediate jeopardy” and deemed provision of substandard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures to ensure they are current with guidelines from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for COVID-19 testing of residents and staff.
- Train staff who accompany residents on trips outside the facility about their responsibility to monitor a resident’s medical condition while they are being transported or waiting inside a vehicle, including the physical signs and symptoms that might indicate a resident is experiencing a cardiac or respiratory event.
- Periodically audit to determine if the facility has adequate access to COVID-19 testing for current residents, staff members, and new residents.
