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 November 1, 2013. Also cited in 103 other reports.
Report ID: T14T11.01, 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 24's protected, confidential health information, when medical records were sent to an outside agency not involved in the patient's care. This failure allowed for potential unlawful or unauthorized use of the information and violation of the patient's right to privacy. Findings: During an interview on 11/01/13 at 11 a.m., the Compliance Officer confirmed that the patient's information had been inadvertently included with documents for a different patient and sent to the agency involved with the other patient's care. The compliance officer confirmed the information released. A review of the letter submitted by the facility revealed that the information included Patient 24's name, medical record, date of birth, gender, telephone number, personal medical information in progress notes for 5/01/12 and 9/11/12, and laboratory results for 11/19/12, 11/20/12 and 11/21/12.The incident resulted from the staff person's failure to reconcile the names on all documents prior to sending them to any agency.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280