Unsecured Computer Screen Exposed Resident Medical Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain privacy and confidentiality of residents' medical records when a laptop on a treatment cart in hall 8 was left unlocked with the electronic medical record visible while unattended. During observation, an LPN left the treatment cart positioned in front of a resident room with the computer screen facing the hallway and went inside the room, leaving the screen exposed and displaying resident medical information. While the LPN was inside the room, a resident approached the cart, faced the computer, and spoke to the LPN from the doorway, with the medical record still visible on the screen. The facility’s Medication Administration policy stated that resident health information must remain private and that MAR pages containing resident health information must remain closed or covered when not in direct use. The LPN stated they did not think leaving the screen exposed was a big deal because they returned quickly and also stated they were unsure how to lock the computer screen. The regional consultant and DON later stated that the policy and procedure for securing computers was to minimize or close the screen when not actively in use by staff. The administrator identified that 105 residents resided in the facility at the time of the survey, and the deficiency was cited for 1 of 1 treatment cart observed with an unsecured computer displaying medical records in a public hallway area.
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