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.
VALLEY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
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 September 24, 2012. Also cited in 40 other reports.
Report ID: VY8C11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: CHILDRENS HOSPITAL CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Issue:
Based on staff interview, Clinical record and administrative document review, the facility failed keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when the PHI of 139 patients was removed from the hospital by an employee and left in the home of a private citizen.This failure placed Patient 1 -139's PHI at risk for unauthorized use.Findings: On 9/24/2012 at 14:50 p.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer Regulatory Compliance Manager(Staff 1), stated Staff 3 took her patient assignment lists home with her over a period of 9 months. The patient assignment lists contained the PHI of 139 hospital patients. The list of the 139 patients was found in her room by third parties after she moved out of the home. Staff 1, stated all 139 Patients were informed of the breach of their PHI.The hospital's Policy and Procedure number 1, 521 titled "PHI, Use and Disclosure" indicated "[Hospital] and its employees are committed to protect the privacy of patient's health information and to comply with applicable federal and state laws that protect the privacy and security of patient's health information. The hospital policy and procedure number PR-1016 titled: "Confidentiality" indicated " [Hospital] will maintain adequate administrative technical and physical safeguards to protect the privacy and confidential information from unauthorized use or disclosure, whether intentional or unintentional".
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights