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.
RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY 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 June 25, 2014. Also cited in 64 other reports.
Report ID: WRON11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the PHI (protected health information) of Patient A remained confidential. This failure resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient A's PHI to an unintended recipient in the community.Findings:An interview was conducted with the facility's Director of Privacy Services on June 25, 2014, at 11:15 a.m. The Director stated a case manager sent a FAX which contained Patient A's PHI to an unintended recipient in the community. She further stated the error occurred because the FAX number was incorrectly programmed into the FAX machine by another case manager. A review of Patient A's PHI which was faxed to the unintended recipient was reviewed. The PHI reflected Patient A's name, medical record number, address, telephone number, social security number, history and physical, symptoms, diagnosis, laboratory results, medication received and recommendations for follow up medical care.A review of the facility's policy, "Safeguarding Protected Health Information (Effective Date: September 23, 2013)," was conducted. The policy indicated, "The facility must take reasonable steps to safeguard and protect PHI. When faxing PHI, workforce members should take appropriate safeguards:Verify the fax number before sending."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280