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 violations of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on May 2, 2012. Also cited in 64 other reports.
Report ID: 48PT11.02, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on an interview and review of the hospital's documentation the hospital failed to notify the California Department of Public Health (Department) about the breach of personal health information within 5 days. Findings:On November 5, 2009 the Department received notification of a breach of Patient 1's personal health information. An interview was conducted with the hospital's Compliance Officer (CO) on 5/4/12 in which the hospital acknowledged this breach. The CO provided a report titled "Event #28766" outlining the facility response to the breach event. The event outline indicated that the breach occurred on 10/10/09 when a hospital intake staff member failed to enter an area code into the fax machine when faxing an assessment form containing personal health information to Patient 1's insurance company. Patient 1's personal health information went to an unintended recipient outside of the healthcare system. The hospital was aware of the breach on 10/14/09. The hospital should have reported the breach to the Department by 10/19/09, but failed to report it the Department for 21 days (reported on 11/4/09 -15 days late).
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280