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.
ST. HELENA HOSPITAL CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
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 February 18, 2014. Also cited in 13 other reports.
Report ID: CFKG11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ST. HELENA HOSPITAL CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of confidential information, when two pages of Patient 1's referral information was inadvertently sent to an agency not involved in the patient's care and not authorized to receive the information. This failure resulted in possible illegal and unauthorized use of information and was a violation of Patient 1's right to privacy. Findings:In an interview with the Privacy Officer, on 2/18/14 at 4 p.m., she stated that the documents were scanned and included in another patient's record and subsequently sent to an agency for billing. She was unable to explain how the documents were placed together. The Privacy Officer confirmed the information which was disclosed.Interview and review of the information submitted by the facility revealed the information released included Patient 1's name, age, date of birth, medical record number, address, and medical information including information regarding an Emergency Room visit.The incident resulted from the employee's failure to verify the names on all documents prior to transmitting them.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280