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.
Ukiah Valley 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 31, 2014. Also cited in 31 other reports.
Report ID: 1NZS11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: UKIAH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of Patient 6's protected, confidential health information, when an itemized bvilling statement was sent to a guarantor instead of to the patient. That guarantor was not involved in the patient's care and not authorized to receive the information. This failure allowed for potential unlawful or unauthorized use of the information and violation of the patient's right to privacy. Findings: During an interview on 11/11/14 at 10:30 a.m., the Compliance Official confirmed that the patient's billing documents had been inadvertently sent to a guarantor who was not involved in this patient's care at this time. She confirmed the information which was disclosed. The interview and a review of the letter submitted by the facility revealed that the information released included the patient's name, date of birth, medical record and account numbers, date of service, physician's name and amount of billing. The incident occurred due to the staff person's failure to follow policy to verify and update information in a patient's record, when there is a readmission.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280