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.
DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for violations of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on May 2, 2012. Also cited in 64 other reports.
Report ID: 48PT11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on an staff interview and review of documents provided to the Department the facility failed to prevent an unauthorized disclosure of personal health information of a patient when an assessment form was faxed to an incorrect fax number.Findings:During a phone interview with the hospital Compliance Officer, on 5/4/12, she acknowledged that this breach of personal health information did occur and had been investigated by the facility. The Compliance Officer agreed to retrieve the documents surrounding this event and convey them to the Department. According to the documentation provided by the hospital (Event #28766 and a certified letter to the patient), on 10/10/09 a hospital intake staff member did not enter an area code into the fax machine when faxing an assessment form containing personal health information to Patient 1's insurance company. Patient 1's personal health information went to an unintended recipient outside of the healthcare system. The unintended recipient notified the facility of the error on 10/14/09 and agreed to destroy the documents.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280