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.
SAINT AGNES MEDICAL CENTER
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 October 9, 2014. Also cited in 16 other reports.
Report ID: HY9J11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SAINT AGNES MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview, clinical record review and administrative document review, the facility failed to ensure confidential treatment of Patient 1, 3, and 4's protected health information (PHI) when:1. Patient 1's PHI was given to Patient 2.2. Patient 3 and 4's PHI was given to patient 5.This failure resulted in unauthorized access to Patient 1, 3, and 4's PHI and the potential for abuse of that information.Findings:CA004123801. On 10/22/14 at 1:30 p.m., during a telephone interview, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated that on 8/6/14 a hospital employee (Registered Nurse 1) gave Patient 1's PHI to Patient 2. The PO stated that the employee should have double checked the paperwork before giving it to Patient 2, but this was not done.Patient 1's PHI breached included her name, date of birth, medical record and account numbers, date of service, physician, home address, telephone number, payer source and account number and relative's phone number.The hospital's policy and procedure titled, "Use and disclosure of Protected Health Information" dated 8/15/2002, indicated "...The Organization will have in place appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI)."CA004133212. On 10/22/14 at 1:45 p.m., during a telephone interview, the PO stated that on 9/7/14 a hospital employee (Registered Nurse 2) had given Patient 3 and Patient 4's PHI to Patient 5. The PO stated that the employee should have double checked the paperwork before giving it to Patient 5 but this was not done.Patient 3's PHI breached included her name, date of birth, diagnosis, test results, date of service, medical record and account numbers, and medications. Patient 4's PHI breached included his name, date of birth, date of service, diagnosis, physician, tests performed, medical record number, account number, and medications.The hospital's policy and procedure titled, "Use and disclosure of Protected Health Information" dated 8/15/2002, indicated "...The Organization will have in place appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI)."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights