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 April 16, 2014. Also cited in 62 other reports.
Report ID: 9LRS11, 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 multiple staff members accessed Patient 1's electronic medical records (EMR) without a business need to know.These failures resulted in unauthorized access to Patients 1's PHI and the potential for abuse.Findings:On 4/17/14 at 10:06 a.m., during an interview the Privacy Officer (PO) stated that it was brought to her attention that 2 hospital employees were accessing Patient 1's EMR, though they were not involved in Patient 1's care. PO stated that they had no reason to access the EMR and should not have done so.The PHI breached included Patient 1's name, date of birth, address, date of service, medical record number, account number, and clinical findings.The hospital Policy and Procedure titled, "HIPAA General Rules for the Use and Disclosure of PHI" dated 4/18/12 indicated, "The paper and electronic records...which contain PHI, are created and maintained for the purpose of providing patient care ..."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights