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.
MILLS-PENINSULA 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 2, 2012. Also cited in 6 other reports.
Report ID: D7ZU11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MILLS-PENINSULA MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview and document review, the facility failed to provide confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to the care of Patient 1 in the hospital.Findings:During a meeting on 2/2/12, the facility's Director of Risk Management summarized an event which occurred on or about 12/28/11, as follows: "The hospital camera containing several baby pictures was inadvertently left by a nurse of a mother's room when her baby's picture was taken. When the family was packing up her belongings, they also packed up the camera by accident. The new mother later saw several pictures on the camera and then it was returned to Mills-Peninsula, at which time the pictures were deleted. The photos of three babies each had a card in it that listed the mother's first and last name, the baby's birth date and time, weight, length and gender, but no medical information, social security # or other identifying information. Since the mothers could not be reached by phone, letters were sent to them with the information and an apology.A review of the facility's "Workforce Confidentiality/Privacy and Appropriate Use of Mills-Peninsula Health Services Property (MPHSP)," last updated on 3/1/12 indicated that the purpose of the WCPP is to protect and ensure the appropriate use of MPHS's property and communication systems.During an interview on 2/2/12 at 11:30 AM, the Executive Director (ED) stated that the licensed nurse left the camera in Patient 1's room and it was accidentally packed with the Patient's belongings. She added that the new mother, Patient 1, saw pictures of three babies in the camera together with the vital statistics and names of Patient 2, Patient 3 and Patient 4. The camera was returned to the hospital, the photos were deleted and letters were sent to the mothers.The ED indicated that there was no medical information or social security numbers on these photos.The facility failed to ensure the confidentiality of medical records and information related to all patients and as a result compromised the rights of Patient 2, Patient 3 and Patient 4.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights