Hospital Cited on Covid-19 Requirement

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Pennsylvania hospital has been cited for failing to screen visitors and patients entering the hospital or its emergency room for symptoms of Covid-19, as required under state and federal regulations.
The violation notice was issued on May 28 to St. Luke's Hospital Anderson Campus in Easton by surveyors from the state Health Department. The 108 bed hospital is apparently the first hospital in the state to be cited for failure to meet a coronavirus requirement. The report became public this week.
"All facilities will actively screen visitors by assessing for fever and signs and/or symptoms of respiratory infection and other criteria such as travel or exposure to Covid-19," a state Health Department report states.
Nate Wardle, a Health Department spokesman confirmed that state surveyors have been checking for compliance with both the state and federal requirements relating to Covid-19.
Hospital officials did not respond to a request for comment but in a plan of correction filed in response to the complaint the hospital said it is now screening all visitors from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Patients entering the emergency room will be screened 24/7.
The plan of correction also includes audits and monitoring along with staff education to ensure compliance.
"The data obtained is recorded in the visitors' log and retained by the organization," the plan of correction states.
A review of recent survey reports for other Pennsylvania hospitals shows state inspectors routinely note compliance with state and federal Covid-19 requirements.
"The facility was in compliance with the current Pennsylvania Department of Health, CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines as they pertain to Covid-19," one recent report states.
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