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 March 6, 2012. Also cited in 58 other reports.
Report ID: 18ZK11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to prevent unauthorized access to one patient's protected health information (PHI).Findings:In interview on 3/6/12 at 10:30 a.m., Staff A stated that she learned on 5/2/11 that on 4/12/11, Patient 1's doctor's first report of occupational injury had been sent to both an incorrect employer's address and an incorrect workers compensation insurance company. Patient 1 was employed by one of two Crescent City fire departments. Staff A stated that when his information had been hand coded into the admission data base, he had been listed as employed by the wrong fire department and therefore covered by that department's workers compensation company. The staff of the wrong fire department called on 5/2/11 to say that Patient 1 was not their employee. Staff A stated that Patient 1 and the Department were notified of the breach on 5/3/11.Document review on 3/6/12 demonstrated that Patient 1's breached PHI consisted of name, age, sex, date of birth, address, phone number, social security number, location and type of injury, and treating physician. Document review on 3/6/12 demonstrated that the breach was discovered on 5/2/11 and Patient 1 and the Department were notified on 5/3/11, within 5 business days of discovery.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280