CONTRA COSTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: 2X5M11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: CONTRA COSTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of Patient 2's protected, personal information, when the patient's identification band was applied to the incorrect patient. Labels with information were also given to that patient.to the wrong patient. This failure allowed for potential unlawful or unauthorized use of the information and violation of the patient's right to privacy. In addition there was potential for incorrect treatment to be provided.Findings: During an interview on 8/26/14 at 10 a.m., the Compliance Officer confirmed that the patient's band was applied to the incorrect patient when the employee picked up the documents from the printer and failed to check the identity. She stated that the staff had failed to fully check the names when giving the articles to the other patient. She confirmed the information which was disclosed.A review of the letter, submitted by the facility, revealed that the information included Patient 2's name, date of birth, gender, medical record and account numbers, date of service, physician's name and preferred language.The incident occurred due to the staff person's failure to follow protocol to use two identifiers to confirm the correct identity of the patient when applying a wrist band or transferring any documents or articles to a patient.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

11 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 04VE11.01, 5PGN11.01, 6R9S11.01, G6H611.01, HY0X11.01, P6O211.01, RO0X11.01, SE3011.01, W8LM11.01, WPM311.01, WZHK11.01