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 April 23, 2014. Also cited in 123 other reports.
Report ID: RNIR11.01, 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 PHI (protected health information) when a CNA (certified nursing assistant) working in the ED (emergency department) took pictures of patients (children) and posted them on facebook (a social internet site). This failed practice resulted in unauthorized persons having access to information about the children, and the potential for physical ahrm to the patients, and emotional harm to their parents.Findings:During an interview with the facility PO (privacy officer) on April 23, 2014, at 11:40 a.m., the PO stated an employee called human resources on March 11, 2014, and reported an employee had posted pictures of children seen in the ED on her facebook page. The PO stated the facility investigated and verified a registry (from a contracted agency) CNA who was working in the ED triage area had posted pictures of herself holding children in the triage area. The PO stated the CNA wrote under the pictures, "these are my triage babies."A review of the pictures indicated the following:1. A picture of the CNA holding a young child posted February 8, 2014, with the ED environment behind her, and a message that read, "My triage baby;"2. A picture of the CNA holding a toddler posted February 17, 2014, with the ED environment behind her, and a message that read, "My triage baby is sad;" 3. A picture of the CNA holding an infant posted March 10, 2014, with a message that read, "She is totally checking me out," and,4. A picture of the CNA holding the same infant posted March 10, 2014, with a message that read, "My loveable triage baby number 4."The children in the pictures were all easily identifiable, and posting them on the internet created the potential for a threat to their physical safety.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280