Complaint·July 13, 2023

R1’s LIC 602 and R1’s MARs both contained R1’s allergy information. According to the widespread illness trackers, the first resident to fall ill began showing symptoms on February 26, 2023. The letter reviewed by LPA Moleski stated that “active GI” [gastrointestinal] “infection cases” were “impacting our Elk Grove Park Family.” The letter includes several infection control guidelines intended to “end the outbreak much sooner.” According to S1, the letter was posted and sent out to families on March 5, 2023, which is seven days after the first resident onset documented in the widespread illness tracker. The photographed posting of this letter reviewed by LPA Moleski was dated March 5, 2023. S1 told LPA Moleski that staff also made phone calls to families of residents, including those who had not tested positive for Noro Virus, in order to inform them of the outbreak. S1 told LPA Moleski on March 6 that the facility would be testing residents for Noro Virus. As of March 7, three residents were still symptomatic, according to S1. As of March 10, S1 had received lab results indicating that all three of those residents were positive for Noro Virus. By that time, no residents were still symptomatic, according to S1. During interviews, S2-S8 described proper use of PPE and proper glove disposal procedures. None said they had witnessed any other staff members using soiled gloves. During interviews, R2, R3, R4, and R6 said they had never seen staff using soiled gloves. R5 described an incident that allegedly occurred six months previously in which staff did not properly dispose of gloves during meal service. The department has determined the following as it relates to the allegations that staff do not ensure residents responsible parties are informed of epidemic outbreaks, that staff do not ensure resident records are maintained, and that staff do not ensure soiled gloves are properly discarded after use: Based on review of facility records, review of resident records, interviews with S1-S8, and interviews with R2, R3, R4, and R6, the above allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED, which means that although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred. No deficiencies were cited during this visit. An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was left with Whinery.