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.
ADVENTIST MEDICAL CENTER - REEDLEY
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 14, 2014. Also cited in 18 other reports.
Report ID: R5NB11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ADVENTIST MEDICAL CENTER - REEDLEY
Issue:
Based on staff interview, clinical record, and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when patient's PHI was faxed to an unauthorized recipient.This failure resulted in the breach of Patient 1's PHI and possible unauthorized use. Findings: 1. On 7/11/14 at 3:38 p.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated, Staff 1 registered Patient (PA) 1 under the wrong ordering physician. This caused PA 1's radiology report to be faxed to the wrong physician's office. Patient 1's clinical record was reviewed on 7/14/14. Patient 1's clinical record contained name, age, date of birth, medical record number, account number, date of service, and x-ray result. Patient 1's x-ray result sheet contained the following confidentiality statement: "These documents contain legally protected and confidential health information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above ..." The hospital policy and procedure titled, "Faxing Patient Protected Health Information," dated 8/29/13, indicated, "It is the sender's responsibility to: 3. take precautionary steps to: a. validate the fax number, b. key in correct fax number, c. immediately confirm fax sent to correct fax number."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights