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.
ST MARY 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 February 27, 2012. Also cited in 55 other reports.
Report ID: 8M6511, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ST MARY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to protect Patient A's medical information. This breach caused Patient A's protected health care information to be released.Findings:The facility self reported to the Department on 2/21/12 that the health information intended for a patient was inadvertently given to another patient upon discharge. The information disclosed included the patient ' s name, date of birth, and the discharge diagnoses.During an interview with the Health Information Management Director on 3/9/12 at 11:15 AM, the Director stated that the discharge instruction was given to the wrong patient (Patient A). The Director also stated that the responsible person of the minor patient notified the facility that they received a wrong discharge instruction that belonged to another patient. The letter mailed to Patient B stipulated that the personal health information inadvertently released to the wrong patient (Patient A) included, name and discharge instructions which was returned to the facility on 2/16/12.The policy and procedure titled "Discharge from Emergency Department", effective date: 1/2009 stipulated, under Procedure G: "Provide a copy of the instructions and prescriptions to the patient or responsible party."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights