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.
DOCTORS 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 February 10, 2012. Also cited in 64 other reports.
Report ID: 4ORK11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview and review of facility documents, the facility failed to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of Patient A's health information (PHI) when a non- facility employee faxed Patient A's transfer information to a local resident instead of the intended nursing home facility. Findings: On 2/10/12 at 2:10 p.m., the facility's investigation of the incident was reviewed with the Compliance Officer (CO). Plans were being made to transfer Patient A to a nursing home. A review of the investigation showed that Patient A's PHI was faxed to a private residence fax machine instead of the intended nursing home. Documents faxed to the residence contained Patient A's transfer form and discharge medication list. On 2/10/12 at 2:20 p.m., the CO stated that her investigation showed that the information had been faxed by the facility's case manager (CM) and by the clinical liaison (CL) to the nursing home from different fax machines in the facility. The CO stated the CL will review a potential patient transfer and fax information to the nursing home for review. The CO stated that the CM will utilize the fax machine in the CM's office, but the CL sometimes faxes from the unit where the patient is on. The CO stated that after that episode, the CL is to only use the CM's fax to send patient information to the nursing home.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280