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 BERNARDINE 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 April 11, 2012. Also cited in 41 other reports.
Report ID: V7DE11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ST BERNARDINE MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview and record review, the facility failed to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of one patient (Patient A) when an employee sent Patient A ' s condolence letter to another patient.Findings:An interview was conducted with the facility ' s Health Information Officer (HIO). The HIO stated that on 3/26/12, she was made aware of an employee inadvertently sending a condolence letter to the wrong patient. The HIO stated that an employee forgot to take Patient A ' s name off of the generic condolence letter that goes out to patients when someone expires. The HIO stated that if the patient was an infant then the name of the infant would be placed into the generic letter. The HIO stated that the employee forgot to remove Patient A ' s name before redistributing the generic condolence letter.A review of the information disclosed in error included the following personal health information (PHI). Patient nameThe HIO further stated that the responsible party was notified of the breach occurrence.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights