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.
CLOVIS COMMUNITY 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 24, 2014. Also cited in 27 other reports.
Report ID: QNM311, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: CLOVIS COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when Patient 1's medical records were faxed to an unauthorized recipient. These failure resulted in not protecting the PHI for Patient 1 and had the potential for unauthorized use. Findings: On 3/24/14 at 9:45 a.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated Patient 2 was being discharged to another facility. Patient 1's medical record was accidentally placed in Patient 2's transfer packet and faxed to the receiving facility. The hospital was notified by the receiving facility of the error and Patient 1's PHI was retrieved. Patient 1's PHI breached included name, date of birth, address, phone number, medical record number, list of medications, vital signs, lab reports, radiology reports, EKG reports, history and physical, consultation reports and progress notes. A total of 76 pages of PHI were faxed. The (Hospital) Policy and Procedure titled, HIPAA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI dated 4/18/12, indicated "...III. POLICY A. It is the policy of [hospital] to protect the privacy and security of patient information and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. ...Guidelines ..."Protected health information includes any information received, created or maintained by [hospital] in which the patient is or may reasonably be identified, regardless of whether the information is in oral, paper or electronic form."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights