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 October 25, 2013. Also cited in 103 other reports.
Report ID: D4P611, 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 a patient's (Patient 1) medical information when a notice for Patient 1 was mailed to Patient 2. This failure allowed the unlawful or unauthorized access to protected health information.Findings:The California Department of Public Health was notified on 9/17/13 that a, "Breach of Protected Health Information (PHI)", occurred on 9/4/13.During an interview on 10/29/13 at 1:30 p.m., Administrative Staff A stated that, on 9/13/13, she was notified, by Management Staff D, that Unlicensed Staff B mailed Patient 2 a verification request addressed to Patient 1, on 9/4/13. Patient 1's PHI included only her name and address.Administrative Staff A also stated that Patient 2 brought in Patient 1's PHI and handed it over to Unlicensed Staff C and Management Staff D, on 9/13/13, when he came in to drop off his copy of the verification request.Administrative Staff A further stated that it was a human error on the part of Unlicensed Staff B as the PHI for Patient 1 had stuck to Patient 2's verification request when she was folding and mailing it. A review of the facility Policy and Procedure for, "Confidentiality of Patient/Client Information", (6/11), reveals the following: "PURPOSE TO establish a department-wide policy that expresses the facilities commitment towards protecting a patient's right confidentiality...POLICY While individuals are patients/clients of the facilities, it is each employee's obligation to contribute to the provision of care in an environment that protects patient's/client's right to privacy. To accomplish this, all observations, and/or verbal, written, pictorial or photographic communications regarding patients/clients, in the absence of appropriate authority to access or release that information, should be safeguarded as 'CONFIDENTIAL'...RESPONSIBLE A. Employees 1. Each employee is responsible for keeping patient/client information confidential."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280