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.
COMMUNITY REGIONAL 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 February 17, 2012. Also cited in 62 other reports.
Report ID: HRF811, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: COMMUNITY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview, clinical record and administrative document review the facility failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when Patient 1's claim form was electronically faxed (eFaxed) to the wrong payer in error.This failure placed Patient 1's PHI at a potential risk for unauthorized use.Findings:On 2/17/12 at 3:15 p.m., Staff 1 (Privacy Officer) stated on 1/06/12 the facility became aware of a possible privacy breach. The facility's internal investigation revealed on 12/19/11 Staff 2 (Billing Clerk) mistakenly eFaxed Patient 1's claim form to the wrong payer. Staff 1 stated it was the staff's responsibility to ensure all fax transmissions were sent to the correct destination.On 2/24/12 at 2:20 p.m., the claim form was reviewed and contained Patient 1's name, date of birth, date of service, address, medical record number, account number, clinical services and total charges. On 2/24/12 the facility policy and procedure number 12136, titled "HIPPA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI," dated 11/16/09, contained the following documentation: "It is the policy of [Facility] to protect the privacy and security of patient information and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. ...PHI includes any information received, created, or maintained by the facility in which the patient is or may reasonable be identified, regardless of whether the information is in oral, paper, or electronic form."The facility policy and procedure number 12108, titled " Facsimile Transmission of Health Information, " dated 7/26/10, contained the following documentation: " Staff members faxing patient information shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the fax transmission is sent to the appropriate destination. "
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights