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.
ST MARY 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 May 15, 2015. Also cited in 55 other reports.
Report ID: 0PQT11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ST MARY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the confidential treatment of Patient A's protected health information (PHI) when a Registered Nurse (RN 1) gave Patient A's laboratory results document to Patient B. This resulted in an unauthorized disclosure of Patient A's PHI.Findings:On May 15, 2015 at 3:30 PM, a phone interview was conducted with the Manager of Accreditation regarding an entity reported incident of a breach of Patient A's PHI detected by the facility on April 10, 2015. The Manager of Accreditation stated Patient B called the facility and said she (Patient B) was sent home with her hospital roommates (Patient A) laboratory results which contained Patient A's name, account number, gender, race, medical record number, date of birth, procedure names, and laboratory test names with results. The Manager of Accreditation stated that Patient A was notified of the breached PHI on April 24, 2015, and provided a copy of the letter.On May 21, 2015 at 9:00 AM, a phone interview was conducted with RN 1 regarding this entity reported incident. RN 1 stated she had two patients in the same room (Patient A and Patient B) waiting to be discharged. She completed the patient's, (Patient B) in bed A, discharge instructions and provided her (Patient B) with the correct discharge packet. As she was working on the other patient's (Patient A) discharge paperwork, the patient in bed A (Patient B) requested a copy of her (Patient B) laboratory results. RN 1 stated, "I was distracted and I didn't look at the document I printed before giving it to her (Patient B). I gave her (Patient B) the wrong document."A copy of the letter sent to Patient A, dated April 24, 2015, informing her about the breach of PHI was reviewed.A review of the laboratory result document indicated Patient A's name, account number, gender, race, medical record number, date of birth, procedure names, and laboratory test names with results.A review of the facility's policy and procedure titled "Confidentiality Policy" dated January 24, 2012, indicated "The employee will follow all (name of facility) policies and procedures...and will take all precautions to prevent any intentional or unintentional use or disclosure of patient health information without the signed authorization of the patient."The facility failed to ensure the correct laboratory result document was given to Patient B resulting in an unauthorized release of Patient A's PHI.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights