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.
KERN 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 January 19, 2012. Also cited in 23 other reports.
Report ID: 4XUB11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: KERN MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to ensure protected health information (PHI) was not faxed in error for thirteen patients which violated their patient's rights.Findings:During an interview with the Patient Access Service Supervisor (PASS) on 1/19/12 at 9:55 AM, he stated Staff A faxed the following information to the wrong office:For two patients, their names, date of births, social security numbers, telephone numbers, emergency contact information, health insurance names, policy numbers, and admitting diagnosis.For eleven patients, their names, hospital account numbers, and account type. These eleven patients' information was part of a internal work sheet used for insurance verification and should have not been faxed at all.During an interview with Staff A on 2/7/12 at 4:20 PM, she stated she remembered she faxed the information on the two patients to the wrong office because she pushed the wrong pre-programed button. She was unaware she had faxed the internal work sheet as reported by the hospital.The hospital's policy and procedure titled "Faxing of Protected Health Information" dated 6/11, read "PHI must be limited to the minimum necessary to meet the requester's needs. Personnel must take the following steps to ensure that the fax transmission is sent to the correct destination...."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights