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.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY 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 December 30, 2013. Also cited in 123 other reports.
Report ID: T6YQ11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the protected health information (PHI) of Patient A remained confidential. This failure led to the unauthorized disclosure of Patient A's PHI to Patient B.Findings:An interview was conducted with the privacy officer, (PO) on December 30, 2013, at 11 a.m. The PO stated Patient B was a patient in the facility's emergency room on December 7, 2013, and when Patient B was discharged the discharge information, which included discharge instructions, was stamped with Patient A's PHI.A review of Patient A's PHI was conducted. The PHI included Patient A's name, date of birth, medical record and encounter numbers.A review of the facility policy, "Patient Privacy,Confidentiality, Medical Records, and Access to, Or Release or Disclosure Of, patient Information, (Revised Date: 01/02/09)," was conducted. The policy indicated, "Personnel shall maintain the confidentiality/privacy of information contained in the medical records of patients and, except for the purposes of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, shall not disclose patient information without the patient's written authorization or according to other legal requirements, such as a subpoena"
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280