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.
Ukiah 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 October 31, 2014. Also cited in 31 other reports.
Report ID: W3QC11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interviews, clinical record and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep protected, health information confidential when Patient 16's discharge instructions were given to another patient, who was not involved in the patient's care and not authorized to receive the information. This resulted in the potential for unauthorized or illegal use of the information as well as a violation of the patient's rights.. Findings:During an interview on 11/11/14 at 11 a.m., the Privacy Official stated that the error occurred when two patients were being treated at the same time and the nurse handed the incorrect instructions to one of the patients. The information was for the other patient. This resulted in Patient 16's information being disclosed to an uninvolved individual. The Privacy Official confirmed the information which was disclosed Interview and review of the documents from the facility revealed that the information included the patient's diagnosis, name, birth date, medical record and account numbers, date of service and discharge instructions. The incident resulted from the failure of the employee to verify the name on the document and reconcile with the patient's name prior to giving the document to the patient.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280