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.
CLOVIS COMMUNITY 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 April 17, 2014. Also cited in 27 other reports.
Report ID: K3DL11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: CLOVIS COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview, clinical and administrative document review, the facility failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when:1) On 3/7/14 a claim form for Patient 1 was mailed to the wrong insurance company. (CA00391019).2) On 3/25/14 a Patient Guide packet for Patient 2 was given to Patient 3. (CA00393096).3) On 2/27/14 a discharge summary for Patient 4 was given to patient 5. (CA00390245).These failures resulted in unauthorized access to Patients 1, 2, and 4's PHI and the potential for abuse of the PHI.Findings:CA003910191) On 4/17/14 at 10:42 a.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated Patient Account Processor (PAP) mailed an insurance claim form for Patient 1 to the wrong insurance company. The PO stated PAP did not verify the name of the insurance company that she was mailing forms to was the correct company.The PHI breached included Patient 1's name, date of birth, address, medical record number, and account number.CA003930962) On 4/17/14 at 10:45 a.m., during an interview, the PO stated, "Somehow Patient 2's 'Patient Guide Packet' was found by Patient 3 in his belongings." It is not known how this occurred.The PHI breached included Patient 2's name, Conditions of Admission, Consent for Surgery, Patient Agreement forms, medical record number, account number, and clinical findings.CA003902453) On 4/17/14 at 10:48 a.m., during an interview, PO stated Registered Nurse (RN) 1 gave Patient 4's discharge summary to Patient 5. PO stated RN 1 failed to verify correct patient name before giving the documents to Patient 5.The PHI breached included Patient 4's name, medical record number, account number, and clinical findings.The Hospital's Policy and Procedure titled, "HIPAA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI" dated 4/18/12 indicated, "Protected health information includes any information received, created or maintained by ... in which the patient is or may reasonably be identified, regardless of whether the information is in oral, paper or electronic form. It is the responsibility of all ... workforce members to comply with policies and procedures ... to identify problems that may cause security breaches."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights