Failure to Protect Resident Health Information Privacy
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of resident records for three residents. In one instance, an unlocked computer screen on a treatment cart in a hallway displayed a resident's photo, name, gender, date of birth, age, allergies, code status, attending physician, vital signs, and scheduled treatments. The responsible LPN acknowledged forgetting to lock the computer screen, and the administrator confirmed that screens are expected to be locked when unattended to protect resident information. Additionally, four sheets of resident records containing private information, such as room numbers, names, and details about care (including ostomy bag changes, brief changes, and catheter care), were left unattended on the counter at the central nurses station. Staff were observed leaving these records unsupervised while going in and out of resident rooms, and other residents were seen passing by the exposed information. The LPN on duty confirmed the records were left out from the previous shift and acknowledged that confidential information should not be left in the open. The administrator stated that private information should be under staff supervision or covered.