LONG BEACH, Calif. – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) levied a $225,000 fine against Pacific Hospital of Long Beach for failing to protect patient data. A hospital employee used the names and social security numbers of 14 patients to open fraudulent telephone service accounts last year.
The hospital reported the incident and fired the employee, who was arrested on Nov. 5, Long Beach Post reports. The hospital intends to appeal the fine.
Pacific Hospital public relations director Laura Salas told the news source that the hospital had done nothing wrong. The security systems in place identified the employee who was misusing information, and the misconduct was reported to the police.
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