Safety Report: Covid-19 OSHA Complaint, Bedford Care Center, 10 Medical Blvd, HATTIESBURG, MS, 39401, USA

10 Medical Boulevard, Hattiesburg, 39401 Mississippi, United States

1. Employees are allowed to work while asymptomatic 2. Employees are allowed to work in the COVID unit while awaiting COVID test results 3. Residents who are COVID positive are allowed in areas that are deemed non-COVID areas and interact with staff in non-COVID areas 4. The employer did not have plans and processes in place to mitigate hazards caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. 5. The employer did not communicate to the Healthcare Professionals at the facility, actions the facility is taking to address shortages and maintain patient and HCP safety 6. The employer did not providing resources to assist Healthcare Professionals at the facility, with anxiety and stress. 7. The employer did not ensure symptomatic Healthcare Professionals at the facility with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 exclude from work until: At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery, defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and, at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared or, Observed above reduction in symptoms and received a negative results of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected 24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens)[1]. See Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Of note, there have been reports of prolonged detection of RNA without direct correlation to viral culture. 8. The employer did not ensure that Healthcare Professionals at the facility with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms were exclude from work until: 10 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test assuming they have not subsequently developed symptoms since their positive test or, Exclude from work until negative result of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized COVID-19 molecular assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected 24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens). 9. Healthcare Professionals at the facility returning to work after testing positive for COVID 19 were provided with a facemask for source control at all times while in the facility until all symptoms are completely resolved or at baseline. 10. The employer did not ensure that employees wore an N95 or higher-level respirator (or other recommended PPE) when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. 11. The employer did not develop and communicate to Healthcare Professionals at the facility Contingency capacity strategies for healthcare facilities include: Adjusting staff schedules, hiring additional Healthcare Professionals, and rotating Healthcare Professionals to positions that support patient care activities. Cancel all non-essential procedures and visits. Shift Healthcare Professionals who work in these areas to support other patient care activities in the facility. Facilities will need to ensure these Healthcare Professionals have received appropriate orientation and training to work in these areas that are new to them. Attempt to address social factors that might prevent Healthcare Professionals from reporting to work such as transportation or housing if Healthcare Professionals live with vulnerable individuals. Identify additional Healthcare Professionals to work in the facility. Be aware of state-specific emergency waivers or changes to licensure requirements or renewals for select categories of Healthcare Professionals. Request that HCP postpone elective time off from work.

Alleged Hazards: 11, Employees Exposed: 10
Source: Osha.gov | Receipt Date: 2020-05-18