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.
Scripps Mercy Hospital
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 August 9, 2012. Also cited in 72 other reports.
Report ID: NF8111.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SCRIPPS MERCY HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview, document and record review the hospital failed to ensure that one patient's (Patient A) personal and protected health information (PHI) were kept confidential and not disclosed to another patient without Patient A's authorization.Findings:Both Patient A and Patient B were seen in the hospital's Emergency Department on 7/24/12 for treatment of abdominal pain. Both patient's were discharged within one hour of each other. However, upon her discharge, Patient B was inadvertently given Patient A's Discharge Medication List and page one of the Care Notes discharge paper work which was intended for Patient A. The discharge paper work that was given to Patient B contained the following personal and PHI of Patient A:1. Patient's Name2. Diagnosis3. Medical Record Number4. Age5. Date of Birth6. Account Number7. Date of ED Visit8. Discharge Medications with Instructions9. Discharge InstructionsA review of the hospital's policy and procedure, entitled "Confidentiality of Information (Patient, Financial, Employee, and Other Sensitive and Proprietary Information) and dated 11/10, indicated that "It is the responsibility of every [hospital name] employee...to follow all of [hospital name] policies and procedures and to safeguard all confidential information."An interview was conducted on 8/16/12 at 3:30 P.M. with the ED RN (RN 1) that was assigned to Patient A and Patient B. RN 1 stated that when she was preparing Patient B for discharge, she went over each page with Patient B. RN 1 acknowledged that she did check the discharge paper work thoroughly enough and inadvertently gave Patient B Patient A's Medication List and page one of the Care Notes discharge paper work. RN 1 further acknowledged that she did not follow hospital policy and procedure when she did not check the name on each page of the paper work that she gave to Patient B.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights