HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation, interview and record review facility staff failed to protect the confidentiality of patient medical records by maintaining paper vital signs and flow sheets on clip boards hung over the hand rails in the corridors, outside of each patient's room. The facility census was 26 patients.

Findings included:

1. Observation on 05/20/10 at 9:00 a.m. in the 100 hall revealed staff stored plastic clip boards (large enough to hold eight and a half by eleven sheet of paper) hung over the hand rails in the corridor.

2. Record review of one patient's clip board revealed several documents with information including vital signs, blood sugar monitoring with patient name and other identifying information.

3. During an interview on 05/20/10 at 9:39 a.m. the Nurse Manager, Staff F stated the following:
-The clip boards outside each patient room contained private patient information.
-The information on the clip boards were graphics, intake and output amounts.
-The information had been stored, hanging on the hand rails for at least the last three months (the Nurse Manager had been in position for three months).
-He/she knew staff should not store patient information on the clip boards where anyone could read, tamper with, alter or destroy the documents.