KERN MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: WX3711.02, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: KERN MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a patient's (Patient A) current guarantor was established prior to sending Patient A's billing statement to a guarantor from a previous visit who was no longer responsible for Patient A's medical expense(s). This failure resulted in a breach of Patient A's personal health information to persons outside the facility.Findings:During a review of the initial report dated 3/4/14, Patient A's 2/5 - 2/6/14, billing statement was sent to a guarantor (Guarantor 1) which was Patient A's guarantor from a previous visit. During an interview with the Compliance Coordinator/Privacy Officer (Staff 1) on 3/5/14 at 2:20 PM, Patient A left the facility without completing the registration process. She stated during Patient A's previous visit, Guarantor 1 was listed in the facility's master index as Patient A's guarantor. Staff 1 stated the facility detected this breach on 2/26/14, when Guarantor 1 informed their Registration Department they were not responsible for Patient A's bills and they had shredded what they erroneously received. Staff 1 stated the facility was not able to inform Patient A of this breach. She stated several unsuccessful attempts were made to contact Patient A by phone, but the number on file was incorrect. Due to the incomplete registration, no address was on file either.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Medical Record Availability

Related Reports:

The report containing this deficiency also includes information about 1 other violation. Note that these may be related to the same event: WX3711.01