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Tag No.: A0441
Based on observation, staff interview and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to safe guard medical records on two (2) of two (2) survey days.
Findings Include:
Observation on 05/05/15 at 3:15 p.m. revealed three (3) medical records unattended at the medical surgical nursing station. When Registered Nurse (RN) #1 was asked who was responsible for securing the patient medical records she stated, "Someone is suppose to come over and help me."
During an interview on 05/05/15 at 4:00 p.m., the Medical Records Director stated, "Medical records are not suppose to be left unattended at a nursing station."
Observation on 05/06/15 at 9:55 a.m. revealed two (2) medcial records unattended at the medical surgical nursing station.
Observation on 05/06/15 at 10:00 a.m. revealed RN #2 came out of a patient room and to the nursing station. When RN #2 was asked who was responsible for securing the patient medical records, she stated, "My nursing assistant and me." She further stated, "My nursing assistant has stepped off the floor."
Review of the facility's "Safeguards Policy and Procedure" revealed "Policy: It is the policy ...to have sufficient safeguards in place to protect confidential healthcare information ...Procedure: The following are to be used to protect confidential healthcare information. 1. Only authorized staff will have access to confidential patient information ...9. Confidential patient information is not left ...unattended ...15. Confidential patient information maintained in other departments or locations will be stored in a locked file cabinet ...".