DPH Issues Record Number of Citations for Patient Privacy Breaches
The California Department of Public Health has issued a record number of citations this year related to patient privacy breaches, Payers & Providers reports.
The agency began issuing penalties for patient privacy breaches in 2009.
Details of Penalties
So far this year, DPH has issued 22 citations to 17 organizations, including:
- 13 hospitals;
- Two nursing homes; and
- Two outpatient clinics.
For example, St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco was penalized after an employee stole the medical records of 17 individuals -- including several doctors at the facility -- and sold the information to an identity theft group.
In another case, San Francisco General Hospital was penalized after a medical resident posted identifiable details about a pediatric patient on his personal Facebook page (Shinkman, Payers & Providers, 10/23).
In comparison, DPH issued:
- Nine citations in 2013;
- 17 citations in 2012;
- 16 citations in 2010; and
- Two citations in 2009.
No information is listed for 2011 (DPH website, 7/8).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.