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.
COMMUNITY REGIONAL 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 May 14, 2013. Also cited in 62 other reports.
Report ID: 143T11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: COMMUNITY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when:1. Patient 1's PHI was mailed to an unauthorized recipient. (refer to CA00354547)2. Patient 2's PHI was mailed to an unauthorized recipient. (refer to CA00354999)These failures resulted in not protecting the PHI for Patient's 1 and 2 and had the potential for unauthorized use. Findings: Refer to CA003545471. On 6/11/13 at 1:44 p.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated Patient 1's PHI was entered into the information system incorrectly and mailed to an unauthorized recipient.Review of the medical record indicated the following information was mailed on 2/27/13 and 4/25/13 to the unauthorized recipient: Patient name and dates of service. On 5/14/13 certified letter was mailed to the patient notifying him of the breach.The (Hospital) Policy and Procedure titled, HIPAA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI dated 4/18/12, III. Guidelines: A. Protected Health Information and Records indicated; 1."Protected health information includes any information received, created or maintained by...in which the patient is...identified, regardless of whether the information is in oral, paper or electronic form. I. Accurate Information 1. It is the responsibility of all individuals who collect information from patients...medical record...to be as accurate and complete as possible. Refer to CA003549992. On 6/11/13 at 1:38 p.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated on 6/17/11 Patient 2's PHI was mailed to an unauthorized recipient. Review of the medical record indicated Patient 2's PHI was mailed to the wrong insurance company. The insurance company receiving the information insures an individual with the same name and birth date as Patient 2. The breach was discovered on 5/10/13. PHI disclosed for Patient 2 included: name, date of birth, address, social security number, medical record number and account number. On 5/16/13 a certified letter was sent to Patient 2 regarding the breach. The (Hospital) Policy and Procedure titled, HIPAA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI dated 4/18/12, III. Guidelines: A. Protected Health Information and Records indicated; 1."Protected health information includes any information received, created or maintained by...in which the patient is...identified, regardless of whether the information is in oral, paper or electronic form. I. Accurate Information 1. It is the responsibility of all individuals who collect information from patients...medical record...to be as accurate and complete as possible.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights