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.
KERN MEDICAL CENTER
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for violations of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on July 15, 2014. Also cited in 23 other reports.
Report ID: 36RB11.03, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: KERN MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure one patient (Patient A) was not given the bottle of prescribed medication intended for another patient (Patient B). This failure resulted in a breach of Patient B's protected health information to persons outside of the facility.Findings:During a review of the initial breach report dated 7/11/14, Patient A and Patient B have the same last name. Each had a prescription for the same medication but of different dosages. Patient A received and went home with Patient B's medication. The facility called Patient A and asked her to return the bottle of medication belonging to Patient B. Patient A failed to return the medications even after seven calls from the facility's pharmacy department. The bottle of prescribed medication for Patient B was labeled with her name, medication and the prescriber's name. During an interview with the Quality Department Registered Nurse (RN 1), on 7/15/14 at 12:16 PM, she stated a Pharmacy Technician (Tech 1), handed Patient B's bottle of medication to Patient A on 6/3/14. RN 1 stated Patient B came to pick up her prescription and was told her medication was already picked up on 6/3/14 at 5:25 PM. The pharmacy department discovered Patient B's bottle of medication was erroneously given to Patient A. RN 1 stated the Pharmacy Manager (Pharm 1) reported this incident via e-mail to RN 1's supervisor (Manager 1) and to human resources department. RN 1 stated she was informed of this incident on 7/7/14, when the e-mail was forwarded to her. RN 1 verified Patient B was notified of the breach by a letter sent on 7/9/14.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Medical Record Availability