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 - REEDLEY
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 3, 2013. Also cited in 18 other reports.
Report ID: 0P9711, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: ADVENTIST MEDICAL CENTER - REEDLEY
Issue:
Based on staff interview and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep Protected Health Information (PHI) confidential when an employee of the facility notified an unauthorized individual of Patient 1's admission and scheduled procedure at the hospital.This failure resulted in not protecting the PHI for Patient 1 and possible unauthorized use. Findings: On 11/1/13 at 1 p.m., during a concurrent interview and clinical record review, the Privacy Officer (PO) stated, "the employee saw the patient on the surgery schedule and called her (the employee's) daughter...to inform her the patient was at the hospital to deliver the baby...(the daughter) called the Patient (Patient 1) and requested to see her baby." The (daughter) came to the hospital and was not allowed to see the baby or Patient 1 per the Patient's request.On 11/1/13 at 1:15 p.m. during an interview, the Privacy Officer stated Patient 1's PHI was disclosed by the employee to an unauthorized individual on 11/07/12. The employee knew of the information due to her position at the hospital. "(the employee) knew of the admit because of her position at the hospital...the employee acknowledged she should not have called her daughter."On 12/26/13 at 1:16 p.m., during a telephone conversation, Employee 1 stated, "I told my daughter that she (Patient 1) had a baby...everyone does it...I didn't see anything wrong with that..."On 11/1/13 a review of the hospital's employee handbook was conducted: "California Employee Handbook"...dated March 2013; page -6-4- titled, "Confidential Information...full considerations given to patients' rights for privacy...all communications regarding their care is treated as confidential...access to any of this information is limited only to those healthcare providers who have a need of the information to fulfill their duties...All employees, volunteers...who have this information are prohibited from discussing or revealing such information in any unauthorized manner...any breach of confidentiality represents a failure to meet the legal, professional and ethical standards expected of the Organization or those working in the employee's position, and constitutes a violation of this policy...includes any unnecessary or unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information due to carelessness, curiosity or concern, or for the personal gain or malice...such breaches may result in disciplinary and/ or civil or criminal penalties..."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights