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 COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for violations of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on January 10, 2013. Also cited in 64 other reports.
Report ID: VT0Q11.02, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure Patient A's right to receive confidential treatment and maintain records confidential pertaining to the care and stay at the hospital was protected.Findings:On January 10, 2013, an unannounced visit was made to the facility to investigate a self reported breach of PHI (protected health information). An interview was conducted with the Facility Privacy Officer (FPO), on January 10, 2013, at 10 a.m. The FPO stated the first breach occurred on November 21, 2012, when a nurse told a security officer Patient A was an employee of the hospital. The second breach occurred when the security officer looked up Patient A's information, took a picture of Patient A and copies of the incident report to Human Resources and told them to terminate Patient A's employment with the hospital because he was combative as a patient. The security officer then took Patient A's photo to the front desk and told staff not to let Patient A back into the hospital. The security officer instructed the front desk staff to escort Patient A off the premises if they saw Patient A attempting to enter the hospital. The FPO stated the security officer's actions were inappropriate and violated the patient ' s rights.The facility's policy and procedure titled, Patients Rights and Responsibility, was reviewed. The policy indicated the hospital would, "provide care that respects a patient's dignity and humanity, and that serves the patients total needs...It is our policy to support a patient's right to...have personal privacy respected...confidential treatment of all communications and records pertaining to your stay at the hospital...receive care in a safe setting, free from...exploitation or harassment..."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights