Failure to Maintain Resident Confidentiality and Privacy
Penalty
Summary
Staff at the facility failed to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of a resident's personal and medical information. Multiple staff members, including CNAs, an LPN, and activity aides, discussed the resident's alleged history of abuse and molestation of family members in various locations throughout the facility, such as hallways, the nurses' station, and offices with open doors. These conversations were overheard by other staff and could have been overheard by anyone nearby, including visitors. The information was not only shared among staff but also discussed in a manner that was not discreet or appropriate, violating the facility's policy on resident rights and confidentiality. The resident in question was documented as having severe cognitive impairment. Staff acknowledged that such discussions were inappropriate and against policy, with some expressing discomfort and concern about the relevance of the information to the resident's care. The administrator confirmed that discussing a resident's history in this manner was not appropriate. The facility's own policy emphasized the importance of privacy and confidentiality for all residents, which was not upheld in this instance.