Updated: August 18, 2020
26 Central Mass. care facilities violated state's COVID testing rules
Photo | Grant Welker
Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Worcester
By Grant Welker
More than two dozen of the 91 long-term healthcare facilities in Central Massachusetts, including nursing homes, have violated the state's requirements that staff be regularly tested for coronavirus, according to new data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
In 22 of the 26 cases in which Central Massachusetts facilities didn't meet DPH's standards, no information was given about staff testing. In four other cases, facilities demonstrated they tested their staff but fell short of a requirement that at least 90% of staff be tested, according to the DPH data released Wednesday.
Across the state, 338 of 429 facilities — nearly four-fifths — complied. Of the 91 others, 69 didn't report testing data — and 22 of them were in Central Massachusetts, a disproportionate share of the state's total. In total, 22 facilities statewide reported figures but didn't reach the 90% threshold.
Those in violation in Central Massachusetts include some facilities with dozens of patient deaths.
St. Patrick's Manor in Framingham, which has reported 40 patient deaths, around 10th most statewide, tested 81% of its staff, according to DPH. Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Northbridge has had 37 deaths, Life Care Center of Auburn has reported 34, and The Highlands in Fitchburg has had 31. None of those three reported testing to the state, according to DPH.
Life Care Center of Auburn's executive director, Catherine Fontaine, said the center has been testing staff as required and submitted information to the state. The facility hasn't had a positive virus test since early June, she said.
"We've been in compliance," Fontaine said.
Beaumont also denied that it has failed to comply with the state guidelines. The facility submitted that 95% of staff were tested and got a verification that its results were received, spokeswoman Maggie Bidwell said.
"It is our obligation to report accurate results, at that time, which we did, and to update that information as further results became available, which we did," said Robin High, Beaumont Northbridge's executive director.
St. Patrick's Manor declined to comment. The Highlands didn't return a call seeking comment.
In late June, the state issued a new policy for long-term care facilities to better protect patients whose deaths have made up 5,634 of 8,582 deaths statewide, or two-thirds, as of Friday. In Worcester County, the proportion is even higher: at least 76%. The local tally includes eight such facilities with at least 30 patient deaths each.
The new state policy requires care facilities to test at least 90% of their staff or be subject to financial sanctions. The state is supporting test costs for facilities through September, at which point the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services will reassess the testing policy based on public health metrics.
The state has separately sought to close three nursing homes, including Hermitage Healthcare in Worcester, for allegedly failing to meet requirements of care during the coronavirus pandemic and has a reported record of poor performance.
MassHealth, the state's Medicaid program, cited failures at Hermitage and others in Lowell and Wareham, including poor adherence to infection control practices, including separating residents who tested positive for coronavirus and improper use of personal protective equipment. The facilities each had inadequate staffing ratios and in some cases refused support offered by the state to help during the outbreak.
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