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.
SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for violations of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on June 19, 2013. Also cited in 27 other reports.
Report ID: LBF211.02, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility, despite best efforts, was unable to notify the patient involved in the breach of medical information.Findings:During an interview on 7/3/13 at 8:30 AM, the facility's Privacy Officer (PO) stated that Patient 1 was homeless and had not had prenatal care. After delivery, Patient 1's baby was placed in foster care and Patient 1 never returned to the clinic for follow-up care. The clinics had placed an "Alert" on her chart stating that if Patient 1 ever returned for treatment at any area of the hospital, the PO was to be notified immediately.In a follow-up letter to the investigation dated 5/15/13, the Interim Director of Regulatory Affairs wrote "On 4/29/13, the patient notification letter was prepared for (Patient 1) in her primary language, however, because the patient is not regularly housed, does not have a medical home in the San Francisco public health system and has been lost to follow up since her last contact with the system in February of 2013, the form could not be mailed. Consequently, a clinical alert had been documented on (Patient 1's) Lifetime Clinical Record (LCR) instructing health care professionals to notify the ...Privacy Officer immediately upon next patient contact."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Medical Breach