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: 1B3311.01, 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 1's protected, confidential health information, when a CD with film of examination was sent to another patient. The patient was not involved in 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 sent to another patient. She stated that the CD had one printed label and a handwritten label. The nurse selected the wrong identification and as a result, the CD was sent to the incorrect 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 resulted from the employees' failure to verify that the information on the label was correct prior to sending the document.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280