1 in 3 State Nursing Homes Violated Coronavirus Protocols

Common violations include asking COVID-positive staff to keep working, not screening visitors for symptoms and not isolating infected residents

By By Dan Hounsell


Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth, according to Mike Tyson. For healthcare facilities, the COVID-19 pandemic that erupted in March 2020 was the punch, and their emergency preparedness plans took that punch. For some, the results were not good. 

Consider Wisconsin, where one in three nursing homes violated coronavirus protocols, including asking COVID-positive staff to keep working, not screening visitors for symptoms and not isolating infected residents, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

State and federal officials cited 133 of Wisconsin’s 360 nursing homes for coronavirus-related violations, with some of them incurring multiple violations, according to a review of hundreds of inspection reports from March 2020 to January 2021.

The most common failure was incorrect use of masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment, found in over 70 percent of cited nursing homes. Nearly 30 percent of cited homes didn't follow quarantine or isolation protocols for residents or staff, didn’t enforce social distancing or commingled COVID-19 positive and negative residents.



April 14, 2021


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Creating Healthcare Campus Master Plans That Allow Movement and Respite

A thoughtful campus master plan looks beyond buildings to the corridors and transitional spaces that shape how people experience healthcare environments.


Aspirus Health Celebrates Opening of Chippewa Falls Hospital and Clinic

The new facility combines hospital and clinic services in one location and is designed to support patients with coordinated, patient-centered care.


AdventHealth to Open Aurora Highlands Medical Campus

AdventHealth Aurora Highlands includes a 24-hour freestanding emergency room, outpatient imaging and clinic services.


The Future of Healthcare Facility Construction Projects

Brian Cowperthwaite highlights the invisible work that impacts everyone who walks through a healthcare facility.


Arnprior Regional Health Upgrades Building Controls to Improve IEQ

Case study: They wanted to improve the hospital facility’s IEQ to support patient care and reduce long-term operating costs.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.