HospitalInspections.org

Based on document review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure patients were afforded the right to personal privacy in the Emergency Department (see tag 0143) for 5 of 10 patient records reviewed.

The cumulative effect of this systemic problem resulted in the hospital's inability to ensure that Patients Rights were promoted.

Based on document review, observation and interview the facility failed to ensure patients personal privacy in 5 out of 10 patient's medical records (MR) reviewed (patients 1, 5, 7, 9 and 10's).

Findings include:

1. Review of facility policy, Patient/Parent Rights and Responsibilities, Complaints and Grievances, last approved 11/30/2016, indicate the following. You are entitled to privacy in treatment and in caring for your personal needs. This includes the right to be interviewed and examined in a surrounding designed to assure reasonable privacy. You have a right to an environment which preserves your dignity and contributes to a positive self-image.

2. Review of patient's 1, 5, 7, and 9 and 10's MR indicated the following. Patients were admitted to facility emergency department M11H (Hallway in Emergency Department where a person must reach over patient cart to open exit doors). Patient 1 was at M11H at 17:24 hours on 05/19/2019, at the same time he/she had a portable chest X-ray. Patient 1's ED (Emergency Department) Nursing Note indicated the following. Patient reports " inhumane treatment" when asked to remove wired bra for CXR (chest X-ray). Refused to wear monitor system and change into gown for proper assessment... Patient left at 1745 (5:45 pm) with security escorting. Patient 5 was at M11H at 16:14 hours on 05/19/2019, at the same time he/she had a portable chest X-ray. Patient 7 was at M11H at 11:54 hours on 05/20/19, at the same time patient was reported to have a physical exam. Patients 9 and 10 were in the hallway where a person must reach over the patient to open the exit door. Patient's 4, 6 and 8 MR indicated those patients were in the hallway but not in M11H (Emergency Room Hallway where exit button for doors is located).

3. Interview on 9/18/2019, at approximately 10:20 am, through 12:01 pm, with N2 (Quality Improvement Consultant) confirmed patient 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10's MR review as indicated above.

4. Interview on 09/18/2019, at approximately 1:58 pm, with N4 (Radiology Technician) confirmed nurses usually get patient ready for chest x-ray. Portable chest X-rays taken at bedside. Patients wearing a bra would need to remove it before having an X-ray.

5. Observation on 09/19/2019, at approximately 10:10 am, with N3 (Regulatory Consultant) the following was observed. Patient cart was placed in area indicated as M11H to be visualized. In order to access the exit door (blue button), a person would have to reach over the patient cart.

6. Interview on 09/19/2019, at approximately 10:10 am, with N3 confirmed the following. When placed in area indicated as M11H, a person would have to reach over the patient cart to access the exit door (Blue button).