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.
Adventist 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 July 25, 2014. Also cited in 29 other reports.
Report ID: 9G0511, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ADVENTIST 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 Ultrasound (image of body part taken by a machine using high frequency sounds) report was mistakenly faxed to a private citizen. This failure caused the breach of Patient 1's PHI and the potential for unauthorized use.Findings:On 6/24/14 at 9:19 a.m., during an interview staff 1 stated on 10/15/13 Patient 1's ultrasound results were faxed to the fax of a private citizen. On 10/17/13 the private citizen contacted staff 1 to inform her of the breach. The private citizen was instructed to destroy the PHI, and Patient 1 was informed of the breach. On 6/27/14 at 9:19 a.m., Staff 1 stated the information breached included Patient 1's name, medical record number,and test results from the ultrasound. The facility policy and procedure titled "Faxing Patient Protected Health Information" indicated it is the senders responsibility to be aware of the content of faxes they are sending, to exercise caution in faxing confidential information, and to take precautionary steps to: validate the fax number, key in the correct number, confirm fax sent to correct fax number, as well as request is appropriate and meets minimum necessary.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights