SALINAS VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Report ID: WOFT11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: SALINAS VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Issue:

Based on documentation and interview, hospital staff failed to implement a patient's (Patient 1) right to confidential treatment of his record, by a staff member viewing his radiology record without authorization or need to know.Findings:In an interview with the risk manager on 4/20/12, she stated the hospital radiology director received a call from patient financial services on 2/17/12 that a diagnostic imaging technician (Tech A) accessed her husband's record and wanted to change his registration information.An investigation was immediately conducted by the hospital privacy officer to determine who had accessed the record and for what reason. The subsequent investigation revealed that Patient 1 was Tech A's husband from whom she was separated. The privacy officer could find no medical care reason for Tech A to have viewed his record.According to the risk manager, on 2/23/12 diagnostic imaging technician (Tech A) was interviewed by hospital administrative staff. During the interview, Tech A stated her husband (Patient 1) was in for diagnostic imaging services and she needed to register him. It was found that Tech A did not register Patient 1 and did not have a need to know about his care. A review of the computerized records of Patient 1 on 4/20/12 indicated, Tech A had accessed Patient 1's record seven times in one day. There was no documentation authorizing Tech A to view Patient 1's record.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights

Related Reports:

1 other violation reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: OSE711.01