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.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL 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 August 14, 2014. Also cited in 123 other reports.
Report ID: 517K11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of protected health information (PHI) for two patients (Patients 1 and 2) when a case managers faxed admission records to the incorrect insurance company. This resulted in the potential for misuse of Patient 1's PHI.Findings:On August 13, 2014, at 10:15, a.m., the Administrator Services Officer (ASO) was interviewed. The ASO stated that on August 1, 2014 the case manager faxed a stack of admission paperwork of several patients to the insurance company. On August 4, 2014, the insurance company notified the facility that within the paperwork was admission records belonging to Patient 1, who had a different insurance company. The ASO stated the case manager followed proper procedure for faxing the information, however she did not ensure that only the patients for that insurance company were in the stack being faxed. The ASO stated the case manager accidentally placed Patient 1's admission record in the wrong stack of records. The ASO stated Patient 1 was a newborn and the documents also contained PHI for the patient's mother (Patient 2).Patient 1's admission records that were inadvertently faxed to the wrong insurance company, was reviewed. The documents included the following PHI:a. Name;b. Date of birth;c. Medical record number;d. Medical history;e. Details of physical examinations;f. Laboratory results; and g. Care plan information.In addition, the documents also include the name, date of birth, and medical record number for Patient 1's mother (Patient 2).The policy and procedure titled, "Facsimile Transmissions," with a date of October 25, 2012, was reviewed. The policy indicated, "Protect the privacy and security of Protected health Information (PHI) when transmitting or receiving PHI by facsimile (fax)... "
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280