Erwin Lake Elderly Care

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Anna Bueno conducted an unannounced visit to the facility in order to conduct a required annual inspection, with an emphasis on infection control, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. LPA was met by care provider Marijane Tan. LPA phoned Administrator Yvonne Kuzeja. Staff verified there are no active and/or suspected Covid-19 cases in the facility. During the inspection, LPA interviewed Tan regarding the facility's infection control measures and inspected the facility for regulatory compliance. LPA observed that the facility was equipped with sufficient hand hygiene supplies, sufficient cleaning/disinfecting provisions, and a supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The facility has a designated infection control lead person who has been tasked with tracking all COVID-19 cases and/or suspected cases and that staff are trained in the facility's infection control measures. The facility has a plan in place which follows Community Care Licensing Division guidelines for COVID-19 testing, isolation, and properly caring for clients with COVID-19 positive results and/or exposures. The facility has a plan in place to monitor residents regularly for any changes in condition and to subsequently notify the resident's physician and emergency personnel in the event the resident presents any COVID-19 symptoms. LPA observed that the facility appeared to be meeting operational requirements. LPA Bueno observed that all utilities and appliances were functioning properly. All areas of the facility, including restrooms, appeared clean and in good repair. LPA Bueno observed no apparent health and safety risks at the time of visit. An exit interview was conducted where a copy of this report was reviewed and provided to care staff Marijane Tan.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 29, 2022

Type of visit: Required - 1 Year

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Crystal Colvin arrived at the facility unannounced in order to complete the facility's Annual Inspection. LPA Colvin met with caregiver Marijane Tan and advised of the purpose of the visit, and that the Annual Inspection will be limited to Infection Control only. The facility's Administrator was not available during today's inspection, but was contacted and spoke with LPA Colvin regarding the purpose of today's inspection. Below is a summary of what was observed: Infection Control: LPA Colvin went over COVID-19 best practices for infection control and prevention with caregiver Marijane Tan, who LPA Colvin found to be successfully incorporating the several aspects of the facility's approved Mitigation Plan. Residents have hand sanitizer available to them in their rooms and bathrooms, and the bathrooms were stocked with hand soap and paper towels. LPA Colvin did not observe any hand washing guides in any of the bathrooms, and recommended for the facility to post them for residents to reference. LPA Colvin additionally observed the facility to have multiple postings throughout the facility for cough etiquette and social distancing. LPA Colvin requested to inspect the facility's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply, which is stored on a bookcase in the living room. LPA Colvin observed the facility to have a 30-day supply of gloves, masks, and sanitizer, and isolation gowns. LPA Colvin went over the various recommended training for facility staff with caregiver Marijane in relation to COVID-19 and confirmed that staff have been trained on various aspects of infection control, recognition of symptoms of COVID-19, and donning/doffing PPE. LPA Colvin inquired as to if staff have been fit tested for N95 masks, and Marijane informed LPA Colvin that at this time staff have not been fit tested, due to difficulties with getting an agency to come up the mountain to fit test for a small facility. LPA Colvin will be issuing a Technical Assistance Advisory Note during today's inspection for staff not being fit tested for N95 masks. LPA Colvin will not be issuing a deficiency for this item due to the facility not currently having any COVID-19 positive residents, and N95 masks only needing to be worn when a resident is COVID-19 positive or under observation while awaiting test results. Additionally, most residents have been vaccinated and are practicing other COVID-19 precautions, which minimize the risk of them contracting COVID-19. LPA Colvin provided caregiver Marijane Tan with the information for Provider Information Notice (PIN) PIN-21-10-ASC which contains resources for getting staff fit tested for N95 masks. LPA Colvin inquired about if the facility is still conducting COVID-19 surveillance testing of their staff members. Caregiver Marijane Tan informed LPA Colvin that they have not been testing their staff members anymore, however, all staff and residents have been vaccinated. On 6/7/21, Community Care Licensing (CCL) issued a new Provider Information Notice (PIN) with updated guidelines on surveillance testing of staff members for COVID-19. PIN 21-28-ASC states that if at least 70% of all staff and residents in a facility have been fully vaccinated and do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, then the facility is not required to continue to conduct surveillance testing. Since over 70% of the facility is fully vaccinated, they are not required to continue to test their staff, unless they display symptoms or have close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. In addition to going over the facility's policy for testing staff and residents for COVID-19, LPA Colvin also inquired about if the facility is still screening their residents daily for COVID-19 symptoms, which includes checking their temperature. Caregiver Marijane Tan informed LPA Colvin that the staff continue to check resident's symptoms daily. LPA Colvin additionally confirmed that the facility is allowing for indoor visitation, and observed a sign-in sheet with proof of visitors being screened prior to entry into the facility. During today's inspection, LPA Colvin observed two walkways/passageways which were blocked. LPA Colvin observed one of the two emergency exits (right) from the backyard to be blocked near the gate with a large black trash can, which was positioned in the walkway, making it difficult to pass by while remaining on the walkway. LPA Colvin additionally observed the sliding glass door in the dining room, which leads to the backyard, to additionally be blocked by two of the dining room chairs. LPA Colvin inquired as to why the chairs were in front of the door, and caregiver Marijane Tan stated that sometimes the residents like to sit there. Lastly, LPA Colvin observed two chairs on the deck in the backyard (directly across from the sliding glass door) to be in the middle of the walkway, instead of set back closer to the railing, which made the walkway difficult to use. The facility is licensed for six non-ambulatory residents, one if which can be bedridden. Due to the facility serving non-ambulatory residents, it is especially important for all walkways and passageways to be clear, so that they may walk with their assistive devices (wheelchair/walker) without issue. Deficiency cited The facility was cited and an exit interview was conducted with caregiver Marijane Tan where a copy of this report, LIC 809D, appeal rights, and LIC9102 TA Advisory Notes was provided.the state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jul 26, 2021

The state marks this report as 5 pages; the online copy we transcribed has 4. You can request the full file from the county licensing office.