Failure to Protect Resident PHI on Unattended Medication Cart Computer
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to maintain resident privacy and confidentiality by leaving protected health information (PHI) visible on an unattended medication cart computer screen. During a continuous observation, a nurse walked away from the medication cart twice while the computer screen displayed the electronic charting system, which included five residents' names and one resident's medication information, such as insulin pen details. The cart was locked, but the screen was visible to a group of residents gathered nearby. The screen saver eventually activated, but not before the information was exposed for several minutes. Interviews with the nurse involved revealed that she did not use the 'walk away' feature or shut down the computer as required by facility protocol, attributing her lapse to nervousness due to the presence of a surveyor. The Director of Nursing confirmed that all nurses are expected to use the walk away feature to protect resident information, and the Administrator stated that staff are expected to keep all resident information confidential at all times.