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.
MAMMOTH HOSPITAL
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 January 30, 2014. Also cited in 15 other reports.
Report ID: 16PJ11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MAMMOTH HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure the confidential treatment of a radiology (x-ray) CD(Compact disc-used to store data images) for Patient B, when it was inadvertently given by the registered nurse (RN) to Patient A upon discharge from the emergency room (ER). This resulted in a breach of Patient B's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On January 30, 2014 at 9:00 AM, the facility privacy officer (FPO) was interviewed regarding a self- report of an x-ray CD being given to the wrong patient on January 2, 2014. The FPO said that both Patients A and B had been admitted and discharged from the ER within minutes of each other on January 2, 2014. Patient A had been seen for a leg injury, and Patient B for a wrist injury. The nurse handed the wrong CD to Patient A, who did not discover the error until a week later, and notified the facility."A review of the cover of the x-ray CD indicated that it contained Patient B's name, date of birth and medical record number. It identified the date, but not the specific type of x-ray that had been taken.During a review of the facility policy and procedure (P&P) titled, "Copying Medical Imaging CDs in the Emergency Department," dated May 2010, the P&P indicated that the registered nurse in the ER was responsible to "burn" (copy) a CD after ensuring they had selected the correct patient and images to copy. The nurse was instructed: "Once the CD has been burned the RN will visually verify that it is the correct patient.When the CD/DVD is given to the patient, the patient will be asked, "Is this your name on this CD/DVD?" The failure of the nurse to follow this procedure resulted in breach of PHI for Patient B.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights