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.
COMMUNITY 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 October 18, 2013. Also cited in 62 other reports.
Report ID: UG8G11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: COMMUNITY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview, clinical, and administrative document review the hospital failed to ensure confidential treatment of Patient 1 and 3's protected health information (PHI) when:1. Patient 1's PHI was given to Patient 2;2. Patient 3's PHI was given to Patient 4.This failure resulted in unauthorized access to Patient 1 and 3's PHI and the potential for abuse of that information.Findings:1. On 10/18/13 at 2:05 p.m., during a telephone interview, the Privacy Intake Specialist (PIS) stated that on 9/30/13 a hospital employee (Registered Nurse 1) gave Patient 1's 24 hour urine collections slip to Patient 2. The PIS stated that the employee should have double checked the name on the slip with the patient, but this was not done.Patient 1's PHI breached included her name, date of birth, medical record number, account number, and physician.The hospital's policy and procedure titled "HIPAA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI" dated 4/18/12, indicated, "It is the policy of [hospital] to protect the privacy and security of patient information and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. This policy applies to all [hospital] workforce members, which includes employees, trainees, students, volunteers, and other designated persons."2. On 10/18/13 at 2:05 p.m., during a telephone interview the PIS stated that on 10/4/13 a hospital employee (Registered Nurse 2) gave Patient 3's 24 hour urine collection slip to Patient 4. The PIS stated that the employee should have double checked the name on the slip with the patient, but this was not done.Patient 3's PHI breached included her name, date of birth, medical record number, account number, and physician.The hospital's policy and procedure titled "HIPAA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI" dated 4/18/12, indicated, "It is the policy of [hospital] to protect the privacy and security of patient information and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. This policy applies to all [hospital] workforce members, which includes employees, trainees, students, volunteers, and other designated persons."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights