COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA

Report ID: 97K211.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to prevent unauthorized access to one patient's (Patient 1) medical information. Findings:On 4/15/13, the California Department of Public Health received a faxed report from the hospital compliance officer which indicated the hospital identified unauthorized access to Patient 1's health information.During an interview on 7/12/13 at 9:10 a.m., the compliance officer stated the hospital determined Staff A accessed the medical record of Patient 1. The compliance officer stated the information was accessed one time on 3/22/13, twice on 3/29/13 and twice on 4/1/13. Staff A had no clinical or business need to access the information. Record review at 9:30 a.m. indicated Staff A had completed annual training for compliance and privacy on 9/30/12.During an interview on 7/19/13 at 8:30 a.m., Staff A confirmed she accessed Patient 1's clinical record to see if Patient 1 was still in the hospital. Staff A stated the information accessed included Patient 1's date of birth, medical record number, physician's name and diagnosis. Staff A stated based on her job duties she had no need to access the information.Record review on 7/19/13 at 1:30 p.m., of the hospital personnel manual dated 3/2012, indicated, "Everyone is expected to treat patient and hospital information in a respectful, professional, and confidential manner. Such information should never be viewed or discussed with another for reasons of personal interest of for reasons outside the employee's responsibilities."

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

5 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: BEEG11.01, DHT811.01, O91F11.01, RKGO11.01, ZLT311.01