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 BERNARDINE 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 September 14, 2011. Also cited in 41 other reports.
Report ID: FO7511, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ST BERNARDINE MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to protect Patient A's medical information. This breach caused Patient A's protected health care information to be released. Findings: The facility self reported on 9/7/11 that on 8/23/11 an employee (Employee A) in the laboratory department was accompanied by a relative to 2 remote sites to do lab draws, for the purpose of observing Employee A in the work setting, without obtaining authorization from the supervisor. The report indicated that Employee A's relative viewed PHI (Protected health information) without authorization, involving PHI on 7 lab requisitions while observing completion of lab requisitions by Employee A at the nurses' station. The PHI contained in the lab requisitions included:a. Patients name.b. Date of birth.c. Physician name.d. Room number.e. Encounter number.f. Medical record number.g. Name of test(s) ordered.h. ICD-9 diagnosis code(s).i. Date of lab draw.j. Initials of phlebotomistk. Facility name. During an interview with the health information officer on 9/14/11, she confirmed that Employee A had violated the facility's policy of safeguarding the patients health information. Review of the facility's policy and procedure titled "Safeguarding PHI and Sensitive Information", effective date: 1/5/09 indicated, "It is the policy of ... to provide appropriate access to its information based on a need-to-know basis while preserving its confidentiality and integrity. The ... facility shall implement reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards ..."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights