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.
Ukiah Valley 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 31, 2014. Also cited in 31 other reports.
Report ID: ZWSN11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of Patient 2's protected, confidential health information, when a CD with imaging of her MRI was given to another patient. The patient was not involved n this patient's care and not authorized to have the information. This allowed for potential unlawful or unauthorized use of the information and violation of the patient's right to privacy. Findings: During an interview on 11/11/14 at 10:30 a.m., the Compliance Official confirmed that the patient's CD had been inadvertently given to another patient. She stated that the employee had accessed the incorrect file and gave it to the uninvolved patient. She confirmed the information which was disclosed. The interview and a review of the letter submitted by the facility revealed that the information released included the patient's name and the image of MRI.The incident occurred due to the staff person's failure to verify and reconcile the identity of the patient to the name on the documentation prior to giving them to a patient.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280