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.
DOCTORS 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 June 11, 2014. Also cited in 64 other reports.
Report ID: 1MET11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview, clinical record, and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when staff faxed Patient 1's PHI to the wrong number instead of the intended Physician's office.This failure resulted in unauthorized access to the Patient's PHI and the potential for abuse of that information.Findings:On 6/11/14 at 10:30 a.m., during an interview, the Privacy Officer stated on 5/14/14 they were notified by an employee from a city government office that they had received 33 pages of the Patient 1's medical record. The documents were secured by the recipient and returned to the hospital. The Compliance Officer verified the employee failed to validate the correct number for the Physicians' office prior to faxing Patient 1's medical record.Patient 1's PHI breached included name, age, gender, date of birth, medical record number, patient account number, physician and nursing notes related to an emergency room visit. The Hospital's Policy and Procedure titled "Record Processing and Information Handling", dated 9/16/13, indicated; "...Protected health information (PHI)... whether electronic or paper format, shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure... dissemination... It is expected all Users will maintain the confidentiality of this information."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights