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.
HEMET VALLEY 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 March 26, 2015. Also cited in 39 other reports.
Report ID: 5ELM11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: HEMET VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of protected health information (PHI) for one patient (Patient 1). Upon discharge from the Emergency Department (ED), another patient (Patient 2) received Patient 1's discharge paperwork containing PHI. This failure resulted in an unauthorized person having access to Patient 1's PHI and the potential misuse of the information.Findings:On March 27, 2015, the privacy Officer (PO) was interviewed. The PO stated, Patient 1 was seen in the ED on February 17, 2015, and admitted to the sixth floor for observation. Patient 1 was discharged from that unit on February 18, 2015. The PO stated it was assumed that Patient 1 did not take her discharge packet with her upon discharge.The PO stated Patient 2 was seen in the ED on February 23, 2015, (five days after Patient 1 was discharged), and left the same day against medical advice.On March 2, 2015, Patient 2 notified the facility she had received the wrong paperwork. Patient 2 returned Patient 1's discharge paperwork, that was inside an envelope with Patient 1's name label affixed to the outside. Inside the envelope was Patient 1's discharge Instructions, Conditions of Admission, and the Important Message from Medicare form, all dated February 18, 2015.The PO stated she did a thorough investigation, but was unable to determine exactly how Patient 2 ended up with Patient 1's discharge paperwork from five days earlier.A review of the discharge paperwork indicated PHI was contained as follows:- Name;- Birthdate;- Medical record number;- List of medication, and reason for taking them;- List of allergies; and- Discharge instructions.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280