Failure to Protect Resident Health Information Privacy
Penalty
Summary
A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) failed to maintain the privacy of a resident's protected health information while administering medications. During the medication pass, the LVN left her tablet open on the medication cart in a hallway, displaying the resident's electronic medical record, including the medication administration record and the resident's name. This screen was visible to other staff and residents passing by. The LVN acknowledged that the information was exposed and admitted she should have locked the screen to prevent unauthorized viewing. She also confirmed that she had received training on resident rights within the past year. The resident involved had a history of hyperlipidemia, dementia, peripheral vascular disease, osteoporosis, and anxiety, and was severely cognitively impaired, requiring total assistance with activities of daily living. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the medication administration record is protected information and that staff are trained at least annually on resident rights, including privacy. Facility policy requires adherence to HIPAA standards and prohibits the release of resident-identifiable medical information to the public.