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.
SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
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 December 19, 2014. Also cited in 58 other reports.
Report ID: GB0311.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of Patient 2's confidential health information, when the patient's screen print of an ultrasound was given to another patient, who was not involved with the patient's care and not authorized to have the information. This failure allowed for potential unlawful or unauthorized access to protected health information and a violation of the patient's right to privacy.Findings:During an interview on 12/19/14 at 10:30 a.m., the Privacy Officer stated that the incident occurred when the employee removed documents from the printer and gave them to a patient. This patient's document was included with the other documents which were printed. The facility employee failed to verify that all he documents were for the patient she was currently caring for. The Privacy Officer confirmed the information which was transmitted. Interview and review of documents, provided by the facility, revealed the information which was misdirected included the patient's name, date of birth and the print of the test. This incident occurred due to the failure of the employee to reconcile the name on all the documents prior to providing them to the patient.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280