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.
QUEEN OF THE VALLEY 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 January 30, 2012. Also cited in 17 other reports.
Report ID: 4RBZ11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: QUEEN OF THE VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to ensure that three patient's radiology records were protected from unauthorized access by individuals not involved in the patient's care.Findings:1. On 1/3/12 the hospital reported to the California Department of Public Health that radiology reports stored on computer disc (CDs) were released to someone other than the patients themselves.During an interview on 1/30/12, Administrative Staff A stated that Patient 1 and Patient 2 had both had radiology procedures at the hospital. Patient 1 had mammograms and Patient 2 had cat scans done. Facility X requested a copy of Patient 1's mammograms. Facility Y requested a copy of Patient 2's cat scans. Radiology staff preparing to mail the two requests put the written report for Patient 1's mammograms in the envelope with the CD of Patient 2's cat scan procedures and mailed them to Facility X. The same technician put Patient 2's written report of the cat scans with the CD of Patient 1's mammograms and mailed those to Facility Y. On 12/23/11, Facilities X and Y notified the hospital that they had received the incorrect CD's and agreed to destroy them The hospital notified Patient 1 and Patient 2 of the error by letters dated 1/04/12. The patient information included on the CD was the patient's name, date of birth, and medical record number. The Department was notified on 1/3/12, and Patient 1 and Patient 2 were notified of the error by letter dated 1/04/12. 2. Administrative Staff A stated that on 11/17/11 Patient 3 had x-rays of the neck taken. Radiology staff gave the patient a CD of the x-rays to take to her doctor. On 12/29/11 Patient 3 returned to the hospital for additional x-rays. At that time, Patient 3 returned the CD she had been given on the November visit and stated that her doctor told her that it was not her x-ray. The returned CD contained a magnetic resonance image and a cat scan of Patient 4. The Department was notifed on 1/3/12 and Patient 4 was notified on 1/4/12.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280