HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and record review the facility failed to protect a Patient's right to privacy when a staff nurse discussed the patient's medical condition and discharge date with an unauthorized family member. (Patient #1)

Findings Include:

Review of a complaint filed by the wife of Patient #1 to the Texas Health and Human Services Regulatory division reflected, the facility nurse, Staff #11, Registered Nurse (RN), discussed confidential health information with the patient's sister, not the wife who is the responsible party. The nurse asked if Patient #1 had a history of seizures and discussed the patient's impending discharge date. The wife had not been informed of the discharge and found out from the sister-in-law.

Review of the facility provided policy Release of Information to External Sources (dated December 2016) reflected, "Purpose: To protect the patient's right to privacy...Do not release any information on patient...Note: Callers who know the patient 'code', the last 4 digits of the patient's FIN number will be given information about the patient...."

Review of the facility provided Rapid regulatory compliance training through HealthStream reflected,..." Patients have the right to privacy and confidentiality....A patient's medical records may be shared with: Clinicians involved in the patient's cased, Regulatory agencies looking into a facility's quality of care, Other people with legal or regulatory right to see the records. Protected healthcare information should not be shared with anyone else.... Talk to the patient first. Ask for the patient's consent. Ideally, the patient will consent to the disclosure...follow state and federal guidelines for disclosing the information."

During a telephone interview on the afternoon of 2/6/18, in the facility conference room, Staff #11, RN, when asked about the conversation with the patient's sister stated, "I believe the sister called the nurse's station to check on her brother...I don't remember if I asked for the security code...there are times when I don't ask for it, sometimes it's really busy and confusing at times....I should have gotten the code....I don't remember what I talked about...."