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.
LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY 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 January 31, 2014. Also cited in 44 other reports.
Report ID: KN7C11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure the confidential treatment of Patient B's protected health information (PHI), when a copy of her print out for a ultrasound of the right breast, was inadvertently included in the paperwork given to the daughter of Patient A, after her mother had been seen in the clinic. This resulted in a breach of PHI for Patient B.Findings:On January 31, 2014 at 1:45 PM, an unannounced visit was made to the facility to investigate a self-report of a possible breach of PHI for Patient B.During an interview with the facility privacy officer (FPO) on January 31, 2014 at 1:50 PM, he said, "This occurred January 20, 2013 at a surgical oncology clinic where both Patients A and B had been. The daughter of Patient A was calling back to the clinic to clarify some of the information she had received, when she found the paperwork that had been mixed in with her mother's, and belonged to Patient B."A review of the document that had been given in error, showed the following information was included: Patient B's name, address, phone number, insurance and group number, type of ultrasound to be done including the diagnosis, and the physician's name and DEA number.A review of the facility policy and procedure titled, "Privacy and Security of Information resources," dated August 2013, was conducted. The policy listed PHI as, "individually identifiable health information...in any form...it relates to the past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual."During an interview with the FPO on January 31, 2014 at 2:00 PM, he confirmed that based on the facility's P&P, a breach had occurred.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights