WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Report ID: 1H4C11, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to provide confidential treatment of records for one of two sampled patients (1). A staff member disclosed Patient 1's name, medical record number, account number, date of service, name of the physician, and date of birth to another patient (2) on a discharge document. Findings:On 7/3/2013 the Department received a report from the hospital indicating there was an unintentional disclosure of limited personal information by the hospital. During an interview on 6/18/14 at 11 a.m., the hospital quality officer (QO) stated on 6/19/13, Patient 2 was discharged from the hospital. The QO stated a physician (MD A) wrote instructions on a prescription form, which Patient 2 took home. The QO stated on 7/1/13 Patient 2's family member returned the prescription form to the hospital, concerned because another patient's information was on it. The QO stated the form listed MD instructions for Patient 2. The QO stated the document also contained an adhesive sticker which listed Patient 1's name, medical record number, account number, date of service, name of the physician, and date of birth. The QO stated Patient 1 and Patient 2 had stayed on the same unit. The QO stated the PHI should not have been disclosed. The QO stated she believed the wrong sticker was placed on the document by mistake. During an interview on 6/18/14 at 11:30 a.m., the hospital unit clerk (HUC) from the unit where Patient 1 and Patient 2 were housed stated multiple stickers were printed for each patient and were used by staff to mark documents with patient information. The HUC stated the stickers were available at the front desk and could be placed on documents by any staff member. The HUC stated she did not know which staff member put Patient 1's sticker on Patient 2's document. The HUC stated the physician who wrote the instructions on the prescription pad may have placed the sticker.A copy of the discharge document was reviewed on 6/18/14. The document was a prescription form with handwriting which indicated Patient 2 could return to work on 8/6/13. The form was signed by a physician. Near the bottom of the form was a rectangular area approximately two inches long by 1 inch high, marked with a bar code. The area listed Patient 1's name, medical record number, account number, date of service, name of the physician, and date of birth. No medical information was disclosed. The physician was not available for interview. The privacy officer who received the document from Patient 2's family member was not available for interview.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights