The California Department of Public Health (CDHP) has announced that five California hospitals have been assessed administrative penalties and fines totaling $675,000 for the failure to prevent unauthorized access to confidential patient medical information.
Under new legislation intended to protect the confidentiality of medical records, a facility that fails to prevent a breach of patient medical information may be assessed a $25,000 fine for each affected individual. A penalty of up to $17,500 is added for each subsequent breach.
The following hospitals received penalties:
Community Hospital of San Bernardino, San Bernardino, San Bernardino County Enloe Medical Center, Chico, Butte County Rideout Memorial Hospital, Marysville, Yuba County Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County San Joaquin Community Hospital, Bakersfield, Kern CountyFacilities that receive penalties are required to submit a plan of correction to CDPH within 10 working days to prevent future incidents. Facilities can appeal an administrative penalty by requesting a hearing within 10 calendar days of notification. If a hearing is requested, the penalties are to be paid if upheld following appeal.
