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 August 13, 2013. Also cited in 123 other reports.
Report ID: DJPU11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure that Patient A's Protected Health Information (PHI) was not disclosed to any entity not authorized to receive the information. This failed practice resulted in unauthorized access to Patient A's demographic information, medical records, and Protected Health Information.Findings:On August 13, 2013, a self reported breach of Protected Health Information for Patient A was investigated. On August 13, 2013, at 4:30 p.m., and interview was conducted with the Compliance officer. The Compliance officer stated the breach occurred on June 7, 2013. The breach occurred in the medical record's department. Patient C's medical records were requested. Patient A and B's medical records were on the counter along with Patient C's medical records. The medical record's staff member went to fax Patient C's medical records and grabbed all three records by mistake. The staff member did not check the name on the medical records prior to faxing them, which resulted in the breach of Protected Health Information for Patient A and B.The facility policy and procedure titled "Patient Privacy, Confidentiality, Medical Records, And Access To, Or Release Or Disclosure Of, Patient Information" revised January 2, 2009, indicated under purpose, "To protect patient's rights to privacy and security of their healthcare information and to establish the criteria and the methods by which patient healthcare information may be accessed, used, released, or disclosed...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..."The facility failed to ensure Patient A and B's Protected Health Information was not disclosed to any entity not authorized to receive the information.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280