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.
EL CENTRO REGIONAL 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 13, 2014. Also cited in 38 other reports.
Report ID: PUWB11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EL CENTRO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to maintain the patient's rights to confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to the care and the stay in the hospital. Patient 1 was inadvertently provided with additional medical information belonging to another person, when he was discharged from the hospital.Findings:On 3/13/14 at 4:15 P.M. the Compliance Manager (CM) was interviewed. According to the CM, the discharge documents belonging to Patient 1, were given to another patient when he was discharged. The CM, stated that the physician entered the discharge orders into the wrong medical record number however, the nurse should have realized the error.The hospital's policy and procedure titled, "Medical Surgical Unit Standards," with the last review date on 1/3/14. The procedure to be followed (on page 10 of 33), lines 398, 399 and 400, indicated the following:398- The patient discharge instruction sheet is completed by the nurse with the399- Physician input to include discharge instructions, limitation and follow-up care requirements.400- A copy is given to the patient/parent upon discharge.The CM acknowledged that the medical staff member discharging the patient, should have reviewed all of the discharge instructions, to ensure that they were all for the same person, medical record number/patient.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights