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.
SAINT AGNES 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 14, 2014. Also cited in 16 other reports.
Report ID: BF6U11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SAINT AGNES MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when Patients 2's completed MediCal application was given to Patient 1 in error. This failure resulted in not protecting the PHI for Patient 2, and had the potential for unauthorized use. Findings: On 7/14/14 at 1:25 p.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated an Emergency Room clerk inadvertently gave Patient 1 a MediCal application form completed by Patient 2. The Emergency Room clerk did not double check Patient 2's and Patient 1's identification prior to giving the form to Patient 1. Patient 2's PHI breached included name, date of birth, social security number, home address and phone number. The facility policy and procedure titled "Privacy and Confidentiality Policy", dated 9/17/09, indicated "The [Hospital] recognizes the importance of safeguarding and valuing the privacy of all patients' confidential information. Access and distribution of confidential information is limited to authorized individuals in the performance of normal job-related functions. Accessing, distributing, or using confidential information for any purpose other them performing normal job-related functions is a violation of privacy and confidentiality. Information should be provided only to those with the need to know in order to perform their job."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights