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 July 7, 2014. Also cited in 123 other reports.
Report ID: TX7111, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure all patient protected health information (PHI) was kept protected, which resulted in the unauthorized access of the patient's confidential information (Patient 3 - a male patient). Patient 3's confidential information was facsimiled to a California State Facility for Women rather than a California State Facility for Men on July 1, 2014. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 3's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On July 7, 2014, at 12 p.m., an interview was conducted with the Hospital Patient Advocate (HPA). She stated: a. On July 1, 2014, a facility Medical Transcriptionist (MT) transcribed Patient 3's Ophthalmology Clinic Notes directing the document to a California State Facility for Women, and the document was facsimiled to the California State Facility for Women.b. The Ophthalmology Clinic Note for Patient 3 should have been directed to the California State Facility for Men.c. On July 1, 2014, the facility was notified of the error and the California State Facility for Women stated they destroyed the document they had received pertaining to Patient 3.The California State Facility for Women personnel received and had an opportunity to view Patient 3's PHI, which included name; date of birth; medical record number; account number; gender; date of service; name of attending physician; physician who performed the examination; and ophthalmology assessment and plan.Patient 3 was informed of the disclosure of his protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on July 1, 2014, to his last known addresses. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a telephone call on July 1, 2014, of the unauthorized access of Patient 3's PHI.The facility policy and procedure titled "Patient Privacy, Confidentiality, Medical Records, and Access to, or Release or Disclosure of, Patient Information" revised January 2, 2009, revealed "... In compliance with State law, upon identification of unlawful or unauthorized access to or use or disclosure of patient healthcare/medical information, a report to both the patient and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will be made within no more than five (5) days from the identification documented by the Compliance & Privacy Officer. ... The report to CDPH will be by phone or FAX to the local district office. ..."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280