Spotlight Case: Privacy or Safety?
A hospitalized patient with advanced dementia was to undergo a brain MRI as part of a diagnostic workup for altered mental status. Hospital policy dictated that signout documentation include only patients' initials rather than full name or birth date. In this case, the patient requiring the brain MRI had the same initials as another patient on the same unit with severe cognitive impairment from a traumatic brain injury. The cross-covering resident mixed up the two patients and placed the MRI order in the wrong chart. Because the order for a "brain MRI to evaluate worsening cognitive function" could apply to either patient, neither the bedside nurse nor radiologist noticed the error. The commentary by John D. Halamka, MD, MS, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Deven McGraw, JD, MPH, LLM, of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, reviews the evolution of HIPAA's privacy regulations and best practices to protect patients' privacy amid the increased collection and digitization of health data. (CME/CEU credit available.)
Privacy or Safety? 
Commentary by John D. Halamka, MD, MS, and Deven McGraw, JD, MPH, LLM
A 64-year-old man with advanced dementia was admitted after being placed on a hold for grave disability. Family members noted he had a week of worsening confusion and agitation. The patient was undergoing a diagnostic workup for his altered mental status with a plan for a brain MRI if the etiology was still unclear. The cross-covering overnight resident was following up on the studies and placed an order for a brain MRI as discussed with the primary team at signout.
In this hospital, signout occurred with a paper-based system. In order to protect patient privacy, hospital policy dictated that signout documentation includes only patients' initials rather than more identifiable information such as full names or dates of birth. In this case, the patient requiring the brain MRI had the same initials as another patient on the same unit who also happened to have severe cognitive impairment from a traumatic brain injury. The cross-covering resident mixed up the two patients and placed the MRI order in the wrong chart. Because the order for a "brain MRI to evaluate worsening cognitive function" could apply to either patient, neither the bedside nurse nor radiologist noticed the error. The following morning, the primary team caught the error and the MRI was canceled and ordered for the correct patient. The near miss led to several discussions about optimizing signout processes while also protecting patient privacy.
.png)
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario