Breach of Resident Privacy During Vital Sign Evaluation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the protection of residents' rights to privacy and confidentiality, as evidenced by observations and policy review. Specifically, the facility's policy titled "Confidentiality of Information and Personal Privacy" dated October 2017, mandates safeguarding the personal privacy and confidentiality of all resident personal and medical records. However, during an observation in the third-floor activity room, a registered nurse, identified as Employee E8, was overheard relaying a resident's vital signs aloud, compromising the resident's privacy. This incident involved two of the thirty residents reviewed, highlighting a breach in the facility's adherence to privacy protocols. The observation took place in a setting where eleven residents and two employees were present, further emphasizing the lack of discretion in handling sensitive medical information. The facility's failure to protect the resident's privacy in this instance is a direct violation of the residents' rights as outlined in the facility's policy and federal regulations.
Plan Of Correction
1) Employee E8 has been educated on the facility policy for Personal Privacy / confidentiality of records. 2) All residents have the potential to be affected. 3) Director of Nursing / designee will educate facility staff on the facility policy of resident personal privacy and confidentiality of records. 4) Random audits of common areas will be conducted daily x 7 days, weekly x 3 weeks then monthly x 2 or until compliance is met. Variances will be addressed and reported to the QAA committee.