Disease outbreak check·January 14, 2025

On 1/14/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Andrea Pittman conducted an unannounced case management visit at the facility and was met by the Facility Representative who permitted entry to the facility. LPA toured the facility with the Lead Teacher Jasmine Ruiz according to the facility sketch. Upon arrival, LPA observed 29 infants and toddlers present with 12 staff members providing care and supervision; the Lead Teacher stated that each classroom had additional staff present but were currently on break during the walk through. LPA observed that the facility was within ratio in each classroom. During this inspection, LPA conducted a followed up on the report of an outbreak that was received on 10/14/2024 as reported by the Supervisor. LPA conducted interviews with relevant parties regarding the incident, reviewed records, and made observations during the incident. The investigation revealed the following information: There was a report from the facility’s management to the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) on October 14 th , 2024 of an outbreak of an unknown disease affecting multiple children which was reported by the Supervisor. The facility’s management was made aware of the children showing signs of an unknown illness by the parents of impacted infants starting on October 8 th , 2024 and being reportable no later than October 9th, 2024. The facility’s management notified the local health officer, the Department of Public Health, of an unknown outbreak impacting infants on October 11 th , 2024, days after the outbreak began at the facility as confirmed by the Public Health Nurse. The facility’s management was made aware of the children showing signs of an unknown illness by the parents of impacted infants and should have reported to CCLD no later than October 9 th , 2024 and should have reported by telephone to local health officer immediately on October 8th, 2024. The outbreak consisted of multiple infants showing signs of illness including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, rash, lethargy, stomach upset, and stomach ache. The facility experienced an ongoing outbreak of infection, including recurrent infections, impacting multiple infants showing the signs of illness previously aforementioned. The facility’s management did not meet reporting requirements by not reporting to the CCLD of an outbreak of any disease within the next working day during normal business hours once they became aware of two or more infants showing signs of illness and they did not report the outbreak of any disease involving two or more infants to the local health officer immediately by telephone. Once the facility received instructions from the Department of Public Health, they followed the directions provided to them and the outbreak precautions were put into effect at the facility. This is a violation of reporting requirements and is a Type B violation, see the LIC 809D for the details. Currently, the outbreak is under control with following the guidelines set by the Department of Public Health and as a result, the outbreak has been closed by the Department of Public Health. All licensing reports are recommended to be kept for 3 years. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was read and provided to the Lead Teacher along with the Notice of Site Visit and Appeal Rights.