Failure to Protect Resident Health Information on Unattended Medication Cart
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect residents' healthcare information by leaving confidential medication information visible and accessible on an unattended computer screen attached to a medication cart. On two separate occasions, the medication cart in the 300 hall was observed left in the hallway with the computer screen displaying sensitive resident information, including medications, date of birth, room number, allergies, and diagnosis. During these periods, multiple staff members, residents, and visitors walked past the unattended cart, making the information accessible to unauthorized individuals. Interviews with the Medication Aide responsible for the cart confirmed that the computer screen was left open to resident information when she walked away to care for another resident. The aide acknowledged she was in a hurry and forgot to activate the privacy screen or lock the computer. Both the nurse and the Director of Nursing confirmed that staff are trained annually to ensure computer screens are locked or set to privacy mode when unattended, and that the aide was aware of this requirement.