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 BERNARDINE 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 14, 2012. Also cited in 41 other reports.
Report ID: 2OUD11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ST BERNARDINE MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to maintain the privacy and confidentiality for one patient (Patient A), when an employee called Patient A ' s formal spouse and informed them of Patient A ' s admittance to the facility.Findings:An interview was conducted on 3/21/12 at 1:00 PM, with the facility ' s Privacy Officer (PO). The PO stated that on 2/29/12, she was notified of a possible breach which had just occurred the same day.The PO further stated that an employee who was also a relative of Patient A ' s formal spouse called the spouse and told her that Patient A was being admitted. The PO stated that the breach was identified when Patient A ' s son showed up to the hospital and stated that his mother (Patient A ' s formal spouse) had told him that he was in the hospital.A review of the personal health information (PHI) that the employee disclosed in error included the following PHI: Patient A ' s admittance to hospitalThe employee was not available for an interview at this time.The PO stated that Patient A was informed of the breach. The PO further stated that the employee failed to maintain personal information and will be disciplined.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights