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.
DOCTORS 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 December 22, 2011. Also cited in 64 other reports.
Report ID: H6QH11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview, facility and administrative document review, the facility failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when Patient 1's physician discharge order was mistakenly faxed to a private citizen's home. This failure placed Patient 1's PHI at risk for possible unauthorized use.Findings:On 12/22/11 at 10:30 a.m., during a telephone interview, Staff 1 (Privacy Officer) stated on 12/1/11 Staff 2 (Case Manager) mistakenly faxed Patient 1's physician discharge order to a private citizen's home. The intended recipient of the discharge order was a local nursing home according to Staff 1. Staff 1 stated the hospital expectation was the staff's responsibility to ensure PHI was faxed to the intended recipient. On 12/22/11 at 10:35 a.m., Staff 1 stated the order contained Patient 1's name, date or birth, medical record number and account number.The facility policy and procedure number 1.0.0, titled "Privacy Policy Overview" contained the following documentation: "Privacy Policies and Procedures have been established to outline directives relating to the Protected Health Information ("PHI") of Patients. These directives include: Protecting the privacy of the PHI of Patients in accordance with California and federal requirements." The facility policy and procedure number VI-32 titled "Transmission of Medical Records by Facsimile" contained the following documentation: "The sender must verify by telephone the availability of the authorized receiver before beginning transmission."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights