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.
ALVARADO HOSPITAL 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 October 24, 2013. Also cited in 14 other reports.
Report ID: ROKF11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ALVARADO HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the clinic failed to ensure the information contained in the patient's health record be disclosed only to the patient or authorized person. The health information of 1 of 2 sampled Patients (1) was inadvertently disclosed to another person without the Patient 1's authorization.Findings: An interview with the facility's privacy officer (PO) was conducted on 10/24/13 at 2:00 P.M. The PO stated, "the biller was mailing a claim to veteran's affair (VA) and inadvertently mailed a document with Patient 1's name, date of birth, visit information, and address. A representative from the VA contacted the facility to make aware of the error. Believes the error occurred because the papers could have been stuck together." The PO acknowledged that Patient 1's protected health information was not protected when it was sent to the VA without Patient 1's authorization.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights