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.
CONTRA COSTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
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 January 6, 2014. Also cited in 103 other reports.
Report ID: PM7E11.01, 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 13's protected, confidential health information, when the Registration Clerk inadvertently entered the medical record number of a patient with a similar name. The incorrect information was printed on a wristband and placed on the wrong patient. This failure allowed for potential unlawful or unauthorized use of the information and violation of the patient's right to privacy. This could additionally result in incorrect treatment.Findings: During an interview on 1/06/14 at 11 a.m., the Compliance Officer confirmed that the patient's information had been included on an identiband which was placed on the incorrect patient. The compliance officer stated that the error resulted when the Registration Clerk entered the Medical record number for a patient whose name began with a K instead of with a C and confirmed that the information released included Patient 13's name, medical record number, date of birth, gender, date of service and admission type. A review of the letter submitted by the facility revealed that this information was printed on a wristband and applied to the wrong patient. The error was discovered by a laboratory staff.The two patients had different middle names as well as the difference in the spelling of the first name. The staff person registering the patient failed to confirm the correct identity of the patient when applying the wristband. .
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280