Breach of Resident Confidentiality Due to Unattended Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the confidentiality of residents' medical information, as evidenced by an incident involving the Grove One Back Medication Cart. During an observation, it was noted that the medication cart was left unattended at the nurses' station with the computer screen open, displaying identifiable resident information. This lapse in security allowed any passerby to view personal and confidential information, which is a violation of the facility's policy on maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of residents' health information. The incident was confirmed by Registered Nurse Employee E10 and later by the Director of Nursing, who acknowledged the failure to uphold the required confidentiality standards. The facility's policy, in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, mandates that all resident health information be kept private and confidential, prohibiting any unattended exposure of documents or electronic displays containing such information.
Plan Of Correction
1. Laptop on Grove 1 back hall medication cart was closed to conceal protected health information. 2. Walking rounds were done by assistant director of nursing to ensure no medication cart laptops were found open and unattended on other units. No further issues identified. 3. Director of nursing or designee will in service nursing staff on protecting personal privacy and confidentiality by ensuring medication laptops are closed when unattended. 4. Director of nursing or designee will audit 5 units (10 medication carts) weekly for 2 weeks, then 3 units (6 medication carts) weekly for 2 weeks, then 3 units (6 medications carts) monthly for 2 months to ensure no confidential information is openly visible to others. Audit findings will be shared with QAPI committee.