HospitalInspections.org

Based on review of hospital policy, observation, and staff interviews, the hospital staff failed to ensure privacy for 2 of 3 patients observed during medication administration.

The findings include:

Review of the "Behavioral Medicine Inpatient Hospitalization Handbook" (no date) revealed "Expect privacy with regards to your care. This includes case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment. You have a right to talk about your illness and treatment without others present..."

Observation on patient care floor #1 on 09/22/2016 at 0935 revealed 2 current patients in medication room. RN #1 adminstered medications to Patient #1. RN #2 administered medications to Patient #2. Further observation revealed RN #1 named medications with indications of use to patient #1 during the presence of patient #2.

Closed medical record review revealed patient #1 was admitted on 09/20/2016 for schizoaffective disorder (mental disorder causing abnormal thought processes).

Closed medical record review revealed patient #2 was admitted on 09/09/2016 for PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder--mental health condition triggered by experiencing or seeing a terrifiying event).

Interview with administrative staff on 09/22/2016 at 1000 revealed "we have always done it that way." Further interview revealed privacy was not observed.