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.
KERN 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 17, 2013. Also cited in 23 other reports.
Report ID: VGFU11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: KERN MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to safeguard Patient 1's Protected Health Information (PHI) from unauthorized persons which resulted in a breach of his PHI.Findings:During an interview with the Privacy Officer (PO) on 6/19/13 at 8:45 AM, she stated the mother of Patient 1 had contacted the facility because the Agency (a debt collection agency contracted by the facility) had requested her to pay for hospital visits for him. The PO stated upon investigation, Patient 1 should have been listed as the guarantor because he was an adult, not the mother. She stated the admitting department should update the guarantor status during the admission process. Per the information provided by the PO, the verbal disclosure included dates of facility visits and charges, per information provided by the PO. Also, the mother had stated she was not aware, nor did her son share with her that he had been a patient at the facility.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights