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.
MAMMOTH HOSPITAL
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 January 5, 2012. Also cited in 15 other reports.
Report ID: BB3511, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MAMMOTH HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to protect Patient A's medical information. This resulted in the unauthorized release of Patient A's protected health care information. Findings:During a telephone interview with the health information manager he stated, "On October 28 2011, an ex-employee requested a copy of her spouses file (Patient 1). She looked at it on December 19 2011, discovered that someone else's documents were in with her husband's medical record. The release of information record, the person who scanned the record and the person who delivered the documents should have checked to every page correctly had the right patients documents."The facility's policy and procedure titled "Release of Information" revised 10/17/05 was reviewed. The policy indicated, "PURPOSE: to ensure that the patient health record is maintained and handled in a secure and confidential manner. POLICY: it is the policy on Hospital A that all physicians and staff preserve the integrity and the confidentiality of our patients PHI (Protected Health Information)."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights