HospitalInspections.org

Based upon observation, interview, and record review, the hospital failed to ensure the personal privacy of 4 of 7 patients in the sample group, [Patients #1, #2, #3, #4] related to Patient #1 overhearing personal and medical information about themselves and 3 others while in the hospital ' s Emergency Department.
Findings include:
Per record review of the hospital 's Emergency Department [ED] log for 8/24/14, Patient # 1 arrived in the ED at 10:12 P.M. with a diagnosis of a broken toe, was placed in Treatment Room 6, and left the ED ' without completion of service' at 11:40 P.M.
Per observation on 10/15/14, Treatment Room 6 is located directly across from the ED 's nurses' station.
Per record review of the hospital ' s Event Report, dated 9/16/14, regarding Patient #1 's ED experience; " patient verbalized h/her frustration at overhearing nurses talk disparagingly about h/her and other patients they viewed as being drug seekers " .
Per review of an interview with Patient #1 on 8/27/14 at 11:00 A.M. the patient reported overhearing the nursing staff making derogatory remarks regarding 3 other patients [Pts. #2,3,4] in the ED during Patient #1 's time there. Patient #1 reported hearing the other patients' names, diagnoses, medical treatment, and/or home addresses.
Per record review of the hospital ' s Emergency Department log for 8/24/14, the information reported by Patient # 1 directly corresponds to Patients #2,3,&4, who were present during Patient #1 's time in the ED, with regard to their names, diagnoses, medical treatment, and/or home addresses. Additionally, time records document the staff identified by Patient #1 as making the remarks were present in the ED during the time Patient #1 and the 3 other patients were there.
Per interview with the hospital 's Director of Emergency Services on 10/14/14 at 2:52 P.M. the Director reported having spoken to Patient #1 following the event and the patient was able to provide quotations of remarks made on 8/24/14. The Director confirmed that Patients #1, 2, 3, & 4 's right to privacy was not observed as evidenced by their personal and medical information discussed openly in the ED without regard as to who could hear it.

Based upon observation, interview, and record review, the hospital failed to provide an emotionally safe environment regarding respect and dignity related to remarks overheard by one patient [Patient #1] about that patient and 3 of 7 others [Patients #2,3,& 4] in the sample group, while in the hospital 's Emergency Department.
Findings include:
Per record review of the hospital 's Emergency Department [ED] log for 8/24/14, Patient # 1 arrived in the ED at 10:12 P.M. with a diagnosis of a broken toe, was placed in Treatment Room 6, and left the ED ' without completion of service ' at 11:40 P.M.
Per observation on 10/15/14, Treatment Room 6 is located directly across from the ED 's nurses' station.
Per review of an interview with Patient #1 on 8/27/14 at 11:00 A.M. the patient reported arriving at the Emergency Department between 10:00 and 11:00 P. M. on 8/24/14. Patient #1 was able to identify 2 staff members, one by name, as making demeaning comments to h/her and about h/her while in the ED regarding h/her medical condition and alleged the patient was involved in illegal drug use.
Per record review of the hospital 's Event Report, dated 9/16/14, regarding Patient #1 's ED experience; " patient verbalized h/her frustration at overhearing nurses talk disparagingly about h/her and other patients they viewed as being drug seekers " .
Patient #1 also reported overhearing the nursing staff making derogatory remarks regarding 3 other patients [Pts. #2,3,4] in the ED during Patient #1 ' s time there. Patient #1 reported hearing the other patients ' names, diagnoses, medical treatment, and/or home addresses.
Per record review of the hospital ' s Emergency Department log for 8/24/14, the information reported by Patient # 1 directly corresponds to Patients #2,3,&4, who were present during Patient #1 's time in the ED, with regards to their names, diagnoses, medical treatment, and/or home addresses. Additionally, time records document the staff identified by Patient #1 as making the remarks were present in the ED during the time Patient #1 and the 3 other patients were there.
Per interview with the hospital 's Director of Emergency Services on 10/14/14 at 2:52 P.M. the Director reported having spoken to Patient #1 following the event and the patient was able to provide quotations of remarks made on 8/24/14. The Director confirmed the hospital's Patient Rights Policy states " the patient has the right to considerate and respectful care at all times under all circumstances " and this did not happen during Patient #1 's visit. The Director reported Patient #1 stated the incident in the ED made h/her feel " belittled " .