Unattended Computer Screen Exposes Resident Medical Information
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) left a computer tablet displaying a resident's electronic medication administration record (EMAR) unattended on top of a medication cart. The screen was visible for approximately three minutes without any staff present, during which time it displayed the resident's picture and details of a recent insulin administration. The medication cart was positioned in the doorway of a resident's room, with other residents nearby and staff observed at a distance. The resident whose information was exposed had multiple complex medical conditions, including cirrhosis, renal insufficiency, viral hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and respiratory failure. The resident required assistance with activities of daily living and had no cognitive impairment, as indicated by a BIMS score of 15. The EMAR on the unattended computer showed specific details about the resident's insulin administration, including the dosage and timing, which could have been viewed by other residents or visitors. Interviews and observations confirmed that the LVN left the computer unlocked while attempting to locate a physician, and the facility's policies require that resident information be kept confidential and computer screens locked when unattended. The incident was identified during a surveyor's observation, and the LVN acknowledged that leaving the screen unlocked was a violation of HIPAA and facility policy.