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.
SAN ANTONIO REGIONAL 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 February 4, 2015. Also cited in 35 other reports.
Report ID: N70B11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SAN ANTONIO REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and record review,the facility failed to ensure the confidential treatment of patient health information for Patient B, when a volunteer inserted Patient B's mammogram results in an envelope addressed to Patient A. This resulted in the unauthorized release of Patient B's protected health information to Patient A. Findings: On February 4, 2015 at 2:30 PM, a phone interview was conducted with the Director of Operations Nursing Administration (DON) regarding an entity reported incident of breach of personal health information for Patient B,which was identified on January 21,2015. The DON stated, " The volunteer accidently placed Patient B's mammogram results together with Patient A's results."When asked which volunteer committed the breach the DON stated, "I don't know."During a phone interview with the Manager for Volunteer Services (MVS)on February 4, 2015 at 4:20 PM, when asked,do you know which volunteer put Patient B's mammogram results in Patient A's envelope, the MVS stated, "NO." The MVS further stated the breach occurred at the Breast and Image Center, who use volunteers to insert negative test results in envelopes. During a phone interview with the Medical Records Director (MRD) on February 4,2015 at 4:50 PM, the MRD stated,"On January 21,2015 at 4:15PM, a Mammography Technician (MT1) received a phone call from (Patient A),and (Patient A) stated she had received a letter from another (Patient B)."During a phone interview with MT1 on February 5,2015 on 9:05 AM, MT1 stated "she received a phone call from Patient A,who informed her there were two letters in the envelope and the second letter belonged to a different (Patient B)." Patient A received the letter via mail. When MT1 was asked whether volunteers help with inserting negative test results letters in envelopes, MT1 stated, yes."A review of Patient B's mammogram test result sent to Patient A included: Patient B's address, birthdate, medical record number, and a negative mammogram test result.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights