complaint·April 12, 2022

LPA KaSandra Lopez spoke to Admin Kortnie on 4/4/22 and confirmed to LPA Lopez the facility does have an outbreak. Admin added that it started last week with residents in Memory Care and then on Thursday 3/31/22, a few more residents were sick with vomit and diarrhea. Admin continued; over the weekend we increase our dinning room tray service from seven (7) to eleven (11) in Assisted Living residents. Monday 4/4/22, Admin was told by staff that there are more resident that are sick and was going to follow up with LPA Ascencio. Admin continued, I am unsure how many residents and staff are sick, but we had about three (3) call out from staff last week. LPA Lopez asked Admin to complete incident repots and to report to VCPH since they had called Admin and left message. LPA Lopez reminded Admin to notify VCPH of any outbreak. As of 4/12/22, LPA Ascencio has yet to receive incident reports regarding staff and residents involved in the outbreak. LPA Ascencio reviewed the Illness Tracking form at 3:51 p.m. on 4/12/22, and it revealed the five (5) resident with symptoms started on 3/28/22 with vomiting and/or diarrhea; two (2) more resident on 3/29/22 with vomiting; three (3) staff with vomiting and diarrhea on 3/30/22; three (3) more residents on 3/31/22 with vomiting; one (1) staff and two (2) more residents on 4/1/22 with vomiting; five (5) residents presented with vomit and/or diarrhea on 4/2/22; nine (9) residents on 4/3/22 presented with vomit and diarrhea; six (6) residents on 4/4/22 presented with vomit; on 4/8/22 one (1) resident presented with vomit; and as of 4/10/22 two (2) resident were present with vomit. Ongoing communications with VCPH on 4/12/22 stated that they have been out to the facility twice (2). They have complied with our request and recommendations. However, VCPH has had to make multiple request for information and samples, so communication has been difficult. As of Sunday 4/10/22's update, thirty-six (36) residents and four (4) employees present sick or with symptoms. VCPH added, the facility did not self-report. VCPH received an anonymous phone call stating there was a large number of memory care residents sick with symptoms. The outbreak had been going on for a week before VCPH got involved. VCPH did provide sample kits and instruction on how to collect samples. As of 4/12/22, the facility has not provided stool samples. Interview with Admin Kortnie at 3:30 p.m. on 4/12/22, stated that some resident’s family members were informed of the symptoms, isolation and outbreak of the facility. Around 1/3 of the resident were notified but the others I’m not sure. We have had isolation gowns, gloves and mask to take care of those with symptoms. We placed a basket outside their room with all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff to use. Continued on LIC 9099-C We stopped communal dinning and all activities at the building. We have been following the guidance and recommendation from VCPH since the day we notified them on 4/4/22. Starting at 4:33 p.m., interviews with seven (7) residents out of the thirty-seven (37) that presented with symptoms stated that they isolated in their rooms, there was no communal dinning or activities and that their responsible party were informed of the outbreak situation. On 4/12/22, at 4:36 p.m., LPA reviewed the med-tech communications log from residents that reside in Memory Care and noted that one (1) resident out of eleven (11) residents that presented symptoms from the Illness log, were called and documented. On 4/12/22, at 5:32 p.m. , LPA reviewed the med-tech communication log from residents that reside in Assisted Living and noted that eleven (11) out of twenty-five (25) resident that presented symptoms from the Illness log, were called and documented. At 5:12 p.m., LPA received two (2) letters to families and residents, one dating 4/4/22 and 4/10/22, regarding the outbreak and the recommendation measure put in place by VCPH. Based on interviews, document gathered, and observations, the allegation, facility failed to handle outbreak appropriately is deemed substantiated at this time. The following deficiencies were observed (See LIC 9099-D.) and cited from the California Code of Regulations, Title 22 and California Health and Safety Code. Failure to correct the deficiencies may result in civil penalties. Exit interview conducted. A copy of the report and appeal rights were provided via email.