Failure to Secure Resident Health Information During Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to secure resident-identifiable information during medication administration for three residents. During medication passes, an LPN left a medication cart unattended with a laptop displaying residents' electronic medical records and a narcotic record book open, making sensitive health information visible. The LPN was observed leaving the cart multiple times with the laptop screen partially open and the narcotic record book not fully closed, exposing residents' medical and prescription information. The LPN was unaware that these actions left protected health information accessible and did not know how to use the electronic medical record system safeguards intended to protect this information. The residents involved had various diagnoses, including Tourette's Disorder, Type 2 Diabetes, Mood Disorder, Seizures, Parkinson's Disease, Depression, Adjustment Disorder, Pain, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder, with cognitive assessments ranging from severe impairment to cognitively intact. Interviews with the LPN, DON, and Administrator confirmed that the facility failed to secure resident medical information during medication administration, contrary to facility policy and accepted professional standards.