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: 1WHK11.01, 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 discharge information for Patient 6 was inadvertently given to the incorrect patient. The person who received the information was not involved in Patient 6'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 Patient 6's right to privacy. Findings:In an interview with the Privacy Officer on 8/05/14 at 11 a.m., she stated that the provider retrieved the Discharge Summary from the printer and gave it to the incorrect patient. The Privacy Officer confirmed the information, which was included in the document.Review of the documentation, submitted by the facility, revealed the information included Patient 6's name, date of birth, age, gender, medical record number, date of service, the name of Patient 6's physician, the procedure which had been performed, and follow-up instructions. The incident resulted from the employee's failure to follow the hospital policy to check the identification and reconcile the name to all documents, prior to giving documents to a patient.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280