Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
COMMUNITY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for a violation of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on September 5, 2014. Also cited in 62 other reports.
Report ID: BXT911, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: COMMUNITY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview, clinical record, and administrative document review the facility failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when Employee 1 inappropriately accessed Patient 1 and Patient 2's PHI.This failure caused the breach of Patient 1 and 2's PHI and the potential for unauthorized use.Findings:On 9/5/14 at 11:03 a.m., the Privacy Officer stated on 12/13/12, Employee 1 inappropriately accessed Patient 1's PHI; and on 1/15/14, Employee 1 accessed Patient 2's PHI without business need to know.On 10/1/14 at 9:09 a.m., the PO stated Patients 1 and 2's PHI included name, date of birth, address, phone number, gender, and clinical information related to a hospitalization.The facility policy and procedure titled "HIPAA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI" dated 4/18/12, indicated "III. Policy: A. It is the policy of ... to protect the privacy and security of patient information and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. B. This policy applies to all CMC workforce members, which includes employees, trainees, student volunteers, and other designated persons. Guidelines: E. Minimum Necessary: 1. Provided that the workforce member is authorized to use or disclose PHI, the workforce member may only use or disclose the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish the intended purpose."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights