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.
NORTHBAY 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 20, 2012. Also cited in 9 other reports.
Report ID: V8NO11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: NORTHBAY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on staff interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure the confidentiality of two patient's health care information when healthcare documents of the two patients were given to other patients in error. Findings:During an interview on 1/20/12 at 9:30 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated that on 1/12/12 she was notified by a staff member at Facility X that Patient 1's discharge instructions were found with Patient 2's transfer information.Administrative Staff A stated that she investigated the incident and found that Patient 1 and Patient 2 were discharged at the same time. The unit secretary printed the documents for Patient 2's transfer. At the same time a nurse sent the discharge instructions for Patient 1 to the same printer used by the unit secretary. The unit secretary picked up the printed transfer information for Patient 2 and, without checking to make certain they were all for Patient 2, sent them to the transfer facility with the patient. The discharge instructions for Patient 1 which were sent with Patient 2 included Patient 1's name, diagnosis, birth date, and medical record number.Administrative Staff A notified the California Department of Public Health and sent a letter to Patient 1 regarding the incident on 1/13/12, within five days of becoming aware of the breach.During an interview on 1/20/12 at 10 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated that on 1/19/12, she was notified by Patient 3 that he had received another patient's laboratory report in error. Review of the laboratory report indicated that it belonged to Patient 4 and was a test for Vitamin D. The report included the patient's name, date of birth, age, sex, admission and discharge dates, and medical record number. Administrative Staff A notified the California Department of Public Health and Patient 4 of the incident on 1/19/12, within five days of becoming aware of the breach.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280