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.
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF SAN BERNARDINO
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 June 8, 2012. Also cited in 46 other reports.
Report ID: APSZ11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF SAN BERNARDINO
Issue:
Based on interview and record review the facility failed to ensure the confidential treatment of the private health information (PHI) for Patient A, when her history and physical (H&P) was send by facsimile (FAX) in error to three skilled nursing facilities (SNF). This resulted in a breach of PHI for Patient A.FindingsOn 6/8/12 at 0800, the facility privacy officer (FPO) was interviewed regarding a self report of a possible breach of PHI for one of their patients (Patient A) on 5/25/12.During the interview, the FPO stated, "The case manager was trying to send information regarding Patient B to different SNFs to secure placement for him. The case manager inadvertently sent the history and physical for Patient A instead of Patient B to the three facilities.A review of the clinical information indicated that Patient A was a 58 year old woman admitted on 5/25/12 with chest pain and hypertension (high blood pressure), and Patient B was a 52 year old male admitted on 4/13/12 with flu like symptoms and abdominal pain who later developed a leg wound. Patient A was to be discharged home and Patient B was to be discharged to a SNF for continued care.A review of the letter sent to Patient A on 5/31/12, indicated that a breach had occurred involving her PHI.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights