License of Whatcom County home healthcare aide suspended for unprofessional conduct

A Whatcom County home healthcare aide has been charged with unprofessional conduct after she allegedly accepted a large gift from a person she was caring for and shared their medical information without permission.

The Washington State Department of Health announced in a news release Tuesday, July 12, that the Nursing Assistant Program has charged certified nursing assistant Anna Kay Leamon with unprofessional conduct. The state’s online provider credential search shows her credential has been suspended.

Leamon, who was issued a credential to practice as a home care aide by the state on Aug. 3, 2018, was employed by Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services and assigned to provide in-home care for a patient, according to the state’s statement of charges filed June 3. The plan of care was later modified to allow Leamon to provide care for a second patient.

Between January and December of 2020, Leamon lived in the home owned by the two patients without paying rent, according to the statement of charges, and in August of that year, Leamon received a $1,209.50 gift from the patient.

Leamon also shared the patients medical information with an unrelated third party, according to documents.

Under WAC 246-980-150, long-term care workers may not solicit, accept or borrow money from patients they are not in an established relationship with, and they also must not accept gifts of value greater than twice the minimum hourly wage in the state. Gifts also are limited to customary gift-giving times, such as birthdays and holidays.

RCW 70.02.020 prohibits healthcare providers from sharing medical information with anyone else without the patient’s written authorization.