SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL

Report ID: EK8W11.03, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL

Issue:

The Condition of Participation for Patient Rights was not met when the cumulative effect of the deficiencies identified resulted in actual harm to Patient 1 and potential harm for all patients within the facility as evidenced by the following: 1. The hospital failed to provide a safe environment for a vulnerable patient when Patient 1 wandered off her nursing unit and was not located in the building until after her death(A144); 2. The hospital and its contracted security services did not have a coordinated search plan for missing persons (A144); 3. The hospital failed to ensure the confidentiality of Patient 1's medical information when four staff members accessed Patient 1's Lifetime Care Record (LCR) without need and without authorization (A146); 4. The hospital failed to ensure the confidentiality of Patient 1's protected health information (PHI) when a contracted employee discussed Patient 1's PHI over the telephone with persons with no need and no authorization to receive such information (A146); 5. The hospital failed to ensure that all contracted employees received annual training on their roles and responsibilities with regard to confidentiality, privacy and HIPPA (Health Information Privacy and Portability Act) (A146); and, 6. The hospital failed to ensure the safety of their patients when there was no coordinated plan for fire and disaster response which included the contracted security personnel (A144).

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: PATIENT RIGHTS

Related Reports:

The report containing this deficiency also includes information about 5 other violations. Note that these may be related to the same event: EK8W11.01, EK8W11.02, EK8W11.04, EK8W11.05, EK8W11.06