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CONEMAUGH MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER
PATIENT RIGHTS: PERSONAL PRIVACY
Tag No.: A0143
Based on a review of the patient's medical record (MR1), facility documents, portions of the patient's EEG audio/visual recording, and interview with facility staff (EMP), it was determined that Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center failed to follow their adopted policy to ensure that the the patient's privacy was maintained.
Findings Include:
A review of facility policy Patient Rights, reviewed/revised December 2014, was conducted and revealed, "Statement of Policy: It is the policy of Conemaugh Health System (CHS) to respect the rights of patients during their hospitalization and to recognize that each patient is an individual with unique health care needs. Staff will provide considerate, respectful care, incorporating patient's personal values and belief systems and strive to protect each patient's dignity. ... 10. Recognition of the patient's right to make decisions involving his/her health care which includes the right to accept or refuse medical treatment. ... ."
A review of Conemaugh Health System ,A Statement of the Patient's Rights, revealed, "... 5. You have the right to expect privacy and confidentiality with regard to your care. ... ."
1. A review of portions of the patient's 24 hour EEG monitoring video was conducted. The recording began on August 10, 2015, at 8:39:45 PM, and ended on August 11, 2015, at 5:47:52 PM. The video revealed the patient (as identified by EMP6) in a hospital gown laying in bed with the EEG electrodes attached to the patient's head, a heart monitor on the patient's chest and IV sites in the patient's right arm.
An interview was conducted with EMP6 was conducted on September 18, 2015, at approximately 1:30 PM. "... I was called in to hook the patient up then went home afterwards. ... I knew that the patient was being videoed. I didn't think to tell the spouse, but they didn't ask if the patient was being videoed."
2. A review of MR1 failed to reveal documented evidence of the document entitled, "Consent To Photograph And/Or Videotape Long-Term Epilepsy Monitoring Unit." EMP8 confirmed the findings.