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 July 2, 2013. Also cited in 103 other reports.
Report ID: L7JC11, 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 two patients' (Patient 1 and Patient 3) medical information when Patient 1's printed wristband was placed on Patient 2's wrist and Patient 3's label was placed on Patient 4's screening form. This failure allowed the unlawful or unauthorized access to some of Patient 1's and Patient 3's medical information. Findings: CA00360502 The California Department of Public Health was notified on 7/2/13 that a, "Breach of Protected Health Information (PHI)", occurred on 6/26/13.During an interview on 7/2/13 at 10:45 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated that, on 6/26/13, she was notified by the Safety and Event Reporting System, that Patient 1's printed wristband was placed on Patient 2's wrist, on 6/26/13, by Unlicensed Staff B. Patient 1's PHI included her name, account number, medical record numberdate of birth, gender, languages spoken, an internal control number, admission date, and type of admission.Administrative Staff A further stated that it was an error, in not following policy and procedure, when Unlicensed Staff B placed Patient 1's wristband on Patient 2's wrist, without double checking Patient 2's identity using two identifiers.CA00360504The California Department of Public Health was notified on 7/2/13 that a, "Breach of Protected Health Information (PHI)", occurred on 6/28/13.During an interview on 7/2/13 at 11:15 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated that, on 6/28/13, she was notified by the Safety and Event Reporting System, that Patient 3's label was placed on Patient 4's screening form, on 6/28/13, by Unlicensed Staff D. The error had been noticed by Unlicensed Staff C while escorting Patient 4 to another department. Patient 3's PHI included her name, account number, and admission date.Administrative Staff A further stated that it was an error, in not following policy and procedure, when Unlicensed Staff D placed Patient 3's label on Patient 4's screening form, without double checking Patient 4's identity using two identifiers.A review of the facility Policy and Procedure for, "PATIENT IDENTIFICATION PROCESS", (9/11), reveals the following: "III POLICY Ambulatory Care staff at all facility health centers will will protect and accurately identify each patient that we serve. Staff must reliably identify the individual as the person for whom the service or treatment is intended, must match the service or treatment to that individual, and must secure their protected health information and medical record accuracy at all encounters...V PROCEDURE F. Clinical and ancillary services staff will be responsible for verifying the patients' identity prior to rendering care, performing diagnostic studies, giving medications and treatments".
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280