Failure to Protect Resident PHI Due to Unattended Computer Screens
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of residents' protected health information (PHI) on the 200 hall. During observations, a registered nurse left a medication cart unattended with a computer screen open to the electronic medication administration record of a resident. On a separate occasion, the same nurse prepared medication for another resident, locked the medication cart, but left the computer screen open to that resident's medication administration record while entering a resident's room. During these times, both residents and staff were observed walking past the unattended cart and visible computer screen. Interviews with the registered nurse, Director of Nursing, and Administrator confirmed that staff are trained to lock computer screens when unattended to protect resident information, and that leaving screens open constitutes a breach of confidentiality. Facility documents reviewed also emphasized the importance of maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of resident records and information.