June 11, 2010

Five hospitals in California have been fined a total of $675,000 by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for failing to prevent unauthorized access to confidential patient information.

Two Northern California hospitals were among the five. Rideout Memorial Hospital in Marysville received a $100,000 fine because 17 employees did not prevent unauthorized access of 33 patients’ medical information. Enloe Medical Center in Chico was fined $130,000 for a similar offense involving seven employees and one patient’s medical information.

The other three hospitals were Community Hospital of San Bernadino, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Community Hospital in Bakersfield.

Within 10 working days the hospitals must submit a plan of correction to CDPH.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tightened the law regarding patient privacy when in 2008 he signed legislation by Senator Elaine Alquist (D- Santa Clara) and Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento).