THUNDER BAY – A highly critical report says Southbridge Roseview’s response in the early days of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Thunder Bay facility likely led to further spread of the virus inside the home.
The deadly outbreak has led to the death of 20 residents and the report found the nursing home failed to ensure all staff took part in the implementation of the infection prevention and control program and staff were not properly following personal protective equipment guidelines.
Residents were also allowed to wander the facility, which the Ministry of Long-Term Care report said Southbridge Roseview has acknowledged likely led to further COVID-19 spread.
The report, based on early December inspections and released this week, showed a dietary aide was observed in a break room inside the facility with their face shield and mask on their lap. A sign on the door indicated face shields had to be sanitized before being taken off and prior to putting it back on, and they must be kept in a paper bag during break periods.
Another pair of personal support workers were observed in the break room with masks around their chins.
Staff at times also failed to either sanitize their hands, or did so improperly, were not maintaining proper physical distancing and were not wearing PPE properly, or at all, when entering residents’ rooms. They were also observed wearing the same PPE in multiple residents' rooms.
The report says the home acknowledged a staffing shortage hampered their ability to properly clean and disinfect the home throughout the outbreak, which led to at least 136 staff members and residents being infected.
The report says multiple complaints were lodged following the onset of the outbreak, which began on Nov. 17 of last year.
Concerns included late meals, insufficient resident wellness checks and unmanaged, wandering residents during the outbreak isolation. The latter was likely a contributing factor in the spread of COVID-19 within the home.
Residents also suffered inadequate hydration, delayed continence care and call bells not being promptly answered.
Staff told inspectors the additional time needed to don and doff PPE each time they entered and exited a room was a contributing factor to the drop-off in required service levels.
As a result of the report, Soutbridge Roseview is required to provide the Ministry of Long-Term Care, which spent four days last month inside the facility, with a plan to correct the situation and achieve compliance, ensure the home, its furnishing and equipment are kept sanitary, that residents’ linen and clothing is collected and cleaned, and that there is an organized program of personal support services for the home to meet the needs of residents.
