complaint·October 26, 2023

The Administrator reported that all activities are planned around using the appropriate PPE and following the guidelines set forth by the State and the County. Staff reported that only small cohort groups of four or five residents with the same Covid-19 status participate in activities together. During the 10-day visit LPA observed that all staff were wearing masks at the facility. 3 out of 3 staff interviewed reported always wearing masks while working and during resident activities. 3 out of 3 staff interviewed reported that masks are provided to residents but most of the residents take the masks off and refuse to wear them. It was alleged that the staff led resident outing led to an increase in staff and residents testing positive for Covid-19. There is no way to determine if a resident outing where no one had contact with the public and staff were wearing masks led to an increase in Covid positive staff and residents. In all facilities at the time no visitors were allowed except approved Government workers on official business. Residents could contract Covid-19 from other residents or staff and staff did not live at the facility. There are too many variables and too many cases to determine how each resident tested positive for Covid-19, so it is unreasonable to attribute positive cases of Covid-19 to one incident or trip where none of the people involved had tested positive for Covid-19. None of the evidence gathered supports the allegation. Based on the information gathered, the allegation, facility planned group activities without the proper use of PPE, is deemed unsubstantiated, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is no preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur. The investigation into the allegation, facility failed to cohort Covid positive residents from Covid negative residents, revealed the following. It was alleged that the facility was scheduling Covid-19 positive staff members which put the facility residents at risk. The facility is a memory care only facility. During the month of December 2020 Covid-19 positive cases increased during the month and at one point during the month every resident was positive for Covid-19. On 12/14/2020, the day of the 10-day visit, LPA observed that the residents who had not tested positive were isolated in their rooms because the majority of residents had tested positive for Covid-19. On or around 12/21/2020 all the residents were reported to be positive for Covid-19. During this time, it was allowed for facilities to have Covid-19 positive staff who were asymptomatic to work with residents who were positive for Covid-19. The Administrator reported that they did have Covid-19 positive staff who were asymptomatic work with Covid-19 positive residents only. 3 out of 3 staff interviewed reported that they followed the guidelines set by management and could only work if they had no symptoms and could only work with Covid-19 negative residents if they had tested negative for Covid-19. The Administrator reported that as residents were cleared and tested negative for Covid-19 they were isolated in their rooms until the majority of residents were negative for Covid-19. The Administrator reported that at no time were residents of different Covid-19 status allowed to co-mingle. Based on the evidence gathered the allegation, facility failed to cohort Covid positive residents from Covid negative residents, is deemed unsubstantiated, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is no preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of the report provided.