ST. HELENA HOSPITAL CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Report ID: PTQU11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: ST. HELENA HOSPITAL CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Issue:

Based on interview and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep personal health information confidential when Patient 10's medical records were sent to an unauthorized medical facility by error. The facility which received the information was not involved in the patient's care and not authorized to receive the information. This failure resulted in a breach of personal and medical information and possible unauthorized use of the information.Findings:In an interview on 10/05/12 at 10:45 a.m., the HIM Supervisor stated that, on 8/22/11, medical information of Patient 10 was misdirected to an unauthorized medical facility. She explained that the information was intended for a different facility, but got picked up with another patient's records and faxed to the incorrect hospital. The Supervisor confirmed the information which was sent.Review of administrative documents revealed that the information transmitted included patient's name, age and medical information including a discharge note, a psychiatric evaluation, a medical history and physical examination report, laboratory reports, a psychosocial assessment, clinical nursing notes and a medication list. The employee picked up the incorrect papers and failed to verify the identifying information prior to transmitting the fax.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

5 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 86DA11.01, QZR011.01, UXEP11.01, XNCP11.01, YDHZ11.01