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 COUNTY REGIONAL 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 January 5, 2015. Also cited in 123 other reports.
Report ID: GZZW11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: RIVERSIDE COUNTY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of protected health information (PHI) for one patient (Patient 1). An employee gave Patient 1's prescription to another patient. This failure resulted in an unauthorized person having access to Patient 1's PHI and the potential misuse of the information.Findings:On January 5, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., the Administrative Services Officer (ASO) was interviewed. The ASO stated Registered Nurse (RN) 1 gave the wrong prescription to Patient 2. The ASO stated, when RN 1 provided discharge paperwork to Patient 2, she also included Patient 1's prescription. The ASO stated, RN 1 realized the error when he went to discharge Patient 1 and saw Patient 2's prescription among the discharge paperwork. RN 1 was able to correct that error prior to giving the paperwork to Patient 1. However, Patient 2 had already received Patient 1's prescription, and had left the facility. Patient 2 returned to the facility to return the Patient 1's prescription and receive the correct one. The ASO stated the employee (RN 1) did not follow policy when he failed to have a second employee double check all discharge paperwork to ensure it was for the correct patient, prior to giving it to Patient 2.The policy and procedure titled, Standard of Care: Emergency Department (ED)," dated April 2014, was reviewed. The policy indicated, "Prior to discharge a registered nurse and another staff member will review the discharge material and validate using 2 patient identifiers (patient's name and date of birth or patient's name and medical record number)that the material is being given to the appropriate patient."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280