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 HELENA HOSPITAL-CLEARLAKE
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 August 5, 2014. Also cited in 14 other reports.
Report ID: 07JM11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ST HELENA HOSPITAL-CLEARLAKE
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of confidential medical information, when some information from Patient 4's visit summary was given to the incorrect patent. The person who received the information was not involved in Patient 4's care and not authorized to receive the information. This failure resulted in possible unlawful and unauthorized use of information and was a violation of the patient's right to privacy. Findings:In an interview with the Privacy Officer on 8/05/14 at 11 a.m., she stated that when the visit summary was being prepared for Patient 4, it was inadvertently included on another patient's visit summary and given to the wrong patient. The process included a cut and paste on the computer and was done in error. The Privacy Officer confirmed the information which was included on the document.The information revealed included Patient 4's name, treatment provided, diagnosis, follow-up plan, which included a referral to AA and medications being ordered, with instructions of how to take them. The incident resulted from the employee's failure to follow the hospital policy to check the identification and reconcile the name to the documents, prior to entering information.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280