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.
HEMET 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 July 28, 2015. Also cited in 39 other reports.
Report ID: 9N1D11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: HEMET VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure Protected Health Information (PHI) for one patient (Patient A) was protected from unauthorization disclosure when his information was sent to Patient B. This failure resulted in the unauthorized disclosure and the potential for misuse of Patient A's PHI. Findings:An interview was conducted with the Director of Health Information Management/Privacy Officer on July 28, 2015, at 3:40 p.m. She stated, "Patient B's wife called on July 10, 2015, stating he received an envelope in the mail with Patient A's test results. This information was mailed on July 6, 2015, by a clerk. Patient identifying information on the documents consisted of the following: Demographic information, pulmonary function test results, blood gas results dated March 28, 2014 and June 26, 2015, and physician interpretation notes. The unintended recipient notified us of the error on July 10, 2015, and Patient B's wife returned the documents on July 10, 2015."Patient A was notified of the information privacy breach of his protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on July 21, 2015, to his last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified by telephone and a faxed letter on July 21, 2015, of the unauthorized disclosure of Patient A's medical information.A review of the facility's policy titled, "Breach of PHI-Notification Requirements," was conducted on July 29, 2015. The policy indicated, "The Hospital will implement, identify and respond to suspected or known breaches: mitigate, to the extent practicable, harmful effects of breaches that it uncovers; and document breaches and their outcomes. The Hospital will follow the specific procedures of the Notification of Breach Section of the Hospital's privacy Sub-Policies."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280