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.
Scripps Mercy 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 March 15, 2012. Also cited in 72 other reports.
Report ID: UDMZ11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SCRIPPS MERCY HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to ensure that Patient 1's protected health information (PHI) was kept confidential from anyone not directly involved with the patient's care.Findings:An interview with the hospital's Patient Relations (PR) was conducted on 3/15/12 at 12:00 P.M. The PR stated that there were two physicians listed in their transcriptionist computer system with the same first and last name. According to the PR, one physician had "M." for middle initial and the other had "T." Per the PR, Patient 1's consultation report was meant to be sent via auto-fax to the physician with the "T." as his middle initial. However, according to the PR, since both physicians had the same first and last name and one had "M." for middle initial and the other had "T.", the auto-fax system automatically picked the physician with the middle initial "M" because the letter "M" comes before the letter "T" in the alphabet. The consultation report indicated the Patient 1's name, date of service, medical history, allergies, medications, physical examination results, laboratory results, and diagnoses.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights