ST. HELENA HOSPITAL CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Report ID: UXEP11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: ST. HELENA HOSPITAL CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Issue:

Based on interview, clinical record and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep personal health information confidential when Patient 13's Determination of Capacity was given to another patient, not authorized to have the information, by error. This failure resulted in a breach of confidentiality and possible unauthorized use of the information.Findings:In an interview, on 10/05/11 at 10:45 a.m., the HIM Supervisor for HIPPA stated that, on 12/06/11, a Declaration and Petition for Determination of Capacity to give Informed Consent was given to the wrong patient. She stated that she first became aware of the breach of confidentiality on 12/13/11 and informed the Department on 12/14/11. She explained that the information was inadvertently attached to another patient's discharge packet and given to that patient. The Supervisor confirmed the information which was sent.Review of administrative documents revealed that the information transmitted included Patient 13's name, Date of Birth, medical record and accounting numbers, and medical information including an assessment of her capabilities. The employee failed to follow policy to reconcile the name on the documents and the identification of the patient being given the documents.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

5 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 86DA11.01, PTQU11.01, QZR011.01, XNCP11.01, YDHZ11.01