HospitalInspections.org

Based on an observation and interview, the hospital failed to ensure each patient had the right to personal privacy. This deficient practice had the potential to impact all patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) as evidenced by failure to provide privacy while collecting personal information during the registration process.
Findings:

A review of hospital policy titled, "Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities," last revised 01/2024, revealed in part: "YOUR RIGHTS: You have the right to your personal privacy and confidentiality in care discussions, exams, and treatments."

During the tour of the ED waiting area on 11/25/2024 from 11:25 AM to 12:00 PM, an observation revealed a small waiting room with open ED registration check-in desk with language interpreter on wheels (IOW) and an enclosed ED registration desk separated by clear window. For full ED registration, ED patients would sit on one side of the clear window in the waiting room and the ED registration clerk would sit on the other side of the clear window with language interpreter on wheels (IOW). This would allow anyone in the waiting room to hear confidential information.

In an interview with S2PAM on 11/25/2024 at 11:35 AM, she verified some parts of the ED registration process are done in the ED waiting room where other ED patients would be able to hear the information provided by the patient. Furthermore, she verified when using the IOW to collect full registration information, the IOW is behind the registration desk and clear window while the patient is sitting on the waiting room side of the desk answering questions.