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.
SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
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 December 20, 2012. Also cited in 58 other reports.
Report ID: NITG11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview, clinical record and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep personal health information confidential when personal and medical information for 89 patients was inadvertently directed to an agency not involved in the patients' care and not authorized to have this information. This failure resulted in a breach of confidentiality and possible unauthorized use of the information.Findings:In an interview, on 12/20/12 at 10:30 a.m., the Privacy Officer stated that on 3/06/12, personal and medical information for 89 patients was inadvertently directed to an individual not involved in these patients' care. He stated that he first became aware of the breach of confidentiality on 3/20/12 and informed the Department on 3/23/12. The error occurred when an employee, of a company which had a contract with the hospital, mailed a "stack" of forms to a private individual who also had a contract with the company. The stack included the 89 forms which were meant to be sent to Blue Cross. He confirmed the information which was sent. Review of administrative documents revealed that the information transmitted for Patients 24 through 88 included the patient's name, address, date of birth, Blue Cross number, medical service provided and the cost of services provided. For Patients 89-106, the information included the patient's name, address, date of birth, medical record number, physician's name, the name of the health plan and the ID number, and a brief description of care provided, as well as a Medicare Explanation of Benefits with a Social Security Number. Information included for six (6) minor patients included the child's name, address, date of birth, medical record number, physician's name, the name of the insurer, the name of the health plan and the ID number, and a brief description of the medical care provided.The incident occurred as a result of failure of the employee to follow procedure to verify information and identification before mailing the documents.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280