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 MARY'S 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 June 19, 2014. Also cited in 4 other reports.
Report ID: ABX611, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ST MARY'S MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review the hospital failed to maintain the confidentiality of individually identifiable medical information for one patient when Admitting Registration staff scanned and transmitted the patient's outpatient radiology request, clinical request for service form and Patient Eligibility form to incorrect recipients. This had the potential for misuse of the patient's confidential medical information.Findings:During an interview on 6/19/14 at 1:45 PM, the hospital's Facility Privacy Official (FPO 1) said, "The Registration Technician in the Registration Admitting Department had scanned Patient A's billing documents into an incorrect account. The forms were then printed and sent to the wrong recipient, a worker's compensation claims service. The forms were returned to the hospital. We believe someone in the billing department did not do a secondary check that the names on the paper work matched the correct account before they were sent out. The information set out contained Patient A's name, date of birth,address, request for MRI Brain Scan due to numbness of the right hand , and insurance billing information. No social security card numbers were in the packet."Record review of Patient A's billing documents described above indicated they contained Patient A's name, address, birth date, brain scan request and medical condition.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights