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.
HEMET VALLEY 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 June 2, 2014. Also cited in 39 other reports.
Report ID: 3F5211, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: HEMET VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of PHI (protected health information) for three patients (Patients 1, 2, and 3) when medical information intended for a physician's office was faxed to the wrong number, belonging to a vehicle smog check business. This failed practice resulted in the potential for physical, emotional, and financial harm to the patients.Findings:During an interview with the Director of HIM (health information management) on June 2, 2014, at 10:15 a.m., the Director stated on May 22, 2014, the Release of Information Specialist was faxing information for four patients to a physician's office, with the office employee verbally verifying the fax number over the phone as the documents were being faxed. The Director stated when they got to the fourth patient, the office employee realized she had given the incorrect fax number for the first three patients (Patients 1, 2, and 3). The Director stated the documents for Patients 1, 2, and 3 were faxed to a vehicle smog check business.The documents that were faxed to the business were reviewed on June 2, 2014. The documents contained the following PHI:1. Patient 1 (Nurse Transfer Document);a. Name;b. Reason for transfer;c. Facility being transferred to;d. Condition at time of transfer;e. Medications; and,f. Contagious disease information (including type of organism and type of isolation);2. Patient 2 (Discharge Summary);a. Name;b. Age;c. Medical record number;d. Date of admission;e. Admitting diagnosis;f. Secondary diagnoses (nine of them);g. Results of tests done during hospitalization;h. Discharge medications (15 of them); and,i. Discgarge disposition (skilled nursing facility).Patient 3 (Discharge Summary);a. Name;b. Age;c. Medical record number;d. Date of admission;e. Admitting diagnoses (13 of them);f. Results of tests done during hospitalization;g. Discharge medications (16 of them); and,h. Discgarge disposition (skilled nursing facility).Faxing the documents to the incorrect number resulted in unauthorized persons having access to the PHI of all three patients.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280