HospitalInspections.org

The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) reported a census of 4 swingbed patients and 1 acute care patient. Based on policy review, observation, clinical record review, and staff interview, the CAH failed to assure the wall desks outside the patient's rooms, that contained confidential information, remained secured at all times for 4 of 5 clinical records reviewed, (patient #'s 16, 26, 27, and 29).

Findings include:

- The CAH's Health Information Management policy titled, "Privacy" on 4/25/12 at 12:45pm directed, "It is the policy of Lindsborg Community Hospital/Lindsborg Rural Health Clinic to ensure the privacy and security of protected patient health information..."

- Patient #16's clinical record reviewed on 4/23/12 at 1:55pm revealed an admission date of 4/20/12 with diagnoses of Congestive Heart Disease (CHF) and Prostate Cancer. Observation was made on 4/23/12 at 1:45pm of an unlocked "wall desk" (a wooden box with a drop down cover) hanging on the wall outside of patient #16's room. The "wall desk" contained patient #16's clinical record with confidential patient information in it. The unlocked "wall desk" that contained patient #16's clinical record is accessible to anyone walking in the hall by the inpatient rooms.

- Patient #26's clinical record reviewed on 4/23/12 at 2:30pm revealed an admission date of 4/16/12 with diagnoses of Pneumonia and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Observation was made on 4/23/12 at 1:45pm of an unlocked "wall desk" (a wooden box with a drop down cover) hanging on the wall outside of patient #26's room. The "wall desk" contained patient #26's clinical record with confidential patient information in it. The unlocked "wall desk" that contained patient #26's clinical record is accessible to anyone walking in the hall by the inpatient rooms.

- Patient #27's clinical record reviewed on 4/23/12 at 3:15pm revealed an admission date of 4/16/12 with diagnoses of Sepsis (an infection in the blood) and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). Observation was made on 4/23/12 at 1:45pm of an unlocked "wall desk" (a wooden box with a drop down cover) hanging on the wall outside of patient #27's room. The "wall desk" contained patient #27's clinical record with confidential patient information in it. The unlocked "wall desk" that contained patient #27's clinical record is accessible to anyone walking in the hall by the inpatient rooms.

- Patient #29's clinical record reviewed on 4/24/12 at 9:10am revealed an admission date of 4/16/12 with diagnoses of Heart Disease and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). Observation was made on 4/23/12 at 1:45pm of an unlocked "wall desk" (a wooden box with a drop down cover) hanging on the wall outside of patient #29's room. The "wall desk" contained patient #29's clinical record with confidential patient information in it. The unlocked "wall desk" that contained patient #29's clinical record is accessible to anyone walking in the hall by the inpatient rooms.

Staff B interviewed on 4/23/12 at 1:45pm acknowledged the patient's clinical records are stored in the unlocked "wall desks" outside each patient's room.

Staff A interviewed on 4/24/12 at 9:00am confirmed the patient's clinical records are stored in the unlocked "wall desks" outside each patient's room. Staff A confirmed the "wall desks" are not secured and are accessible to any one walking in the hall.