HospitalInspections.org

Based on observations, patient and staff interviews the staff failed to ensure the patient's right to privacy by placing patients wearing hospital gowns into waiting areas with other individuals.

The findings include:

Observation during tour on 4/4/2012 at 1535 of the Emergency Department waiting area revealed female patient #1 wearing two hospital gowns (front/back) walking in the main adult waiting room area. The patient was then observed walking from the main waiting area through a second waiting area into a third smaller waiting area. Observation of the patient in the small waiting area revealed the female patient sitting with two (2) male individuals.

Interview with patient #1 on 4/4/2012 at 1545 revealed the patient was told to put the hospital gown on while she was in triage. The interview revealed she was not asked or told she would be in close proximity with other individuals. The interview revealed she thought she was going to a treatment room. Patient #1 stated if she had known she was not going to a room she would have gone to the main waiting area prior to putting the gowns on. The patient stated she had to get personnel items left in the main waiting area. The interview revealed she did not feel "comfortable" dressed in hospital gowns walking around sitting in a room "full" of people. The interview revealed some people had clothes on and some had on gowns.

Interview with patient # 2 on 4/4/2012 at 1615 revealed she was told to put a hospital gown and was not asked. The interview revealed she had been waiting in other areas with people. The interview revealed some were dressed and others had on hospital gowns. The interview revealed she would not have put on the gown if she did keep on her pants. The interview revealed she would have refused because she would not be comfortable in a room with others with only a hospital gown on.

Interview with employee #1 on 4/4/2012 at 1630 revealed he worked at the front desk for both the pediatric and adult emergency departments (ED). The interview revealed a new area had opened approximately one month ago. The interview revealed there was less waiting area now and he had observed on multiple occasions patients sitting in the main waiting area of the ED dressed in hospital gowns.

Interview with ED administrative staff on 4/4/2012 at 1645 revealed the staff are to ask the patient's permission to put a hospital gown on while in triage. The interview revealed this practice had started about 2 weeks ago.

NC00079385
NC00076763