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.
Mercy 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 28, 2014. Also cited in 34 other reports.
Report ID: Q77711, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MERCY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview, clinical record and administrative document review, the facility failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when Patient 2's Patient Plan was given to Patient 1 by mistake. This failure resulted in a breach of Patient 2's right to confidential treatment of PHI and possible unauthorized use of that information. Findings:On 8/20/14 at 11:00 a.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated that a Patient Plan for Patient 2 was given to Patient 1 by mistake. The facility was unable to determine who gave Patient 2 the wrong information.Patient 2's PHI breached included name, date of service, clinical diagnosis, assessment, medications, allergies, vital signs, laboratory studies and follow up assessment. The facility policy and procedure dated: 12/09, titled "Protected Health Information and Sensitive information, Safeguarding of " indicated "It is the Policy of [Hospital] to comply with state and federal regulations regarding the safeguarding of physical and electronic form of Protected Health Information (PHI). Staff shall provide appropriate access to its information based on need to know basis while preserving its confidentiality an[d] integrity."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights