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.
COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA
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 September 13, 2012. Also cited in 24 other reports.
Report ID: FP4R11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: COMMUNITY HOSPITAL OF THE MONTEREY PENINSULA
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to provide confidential medical treatment for one of two sampled patients (1). Findings:Patient 1 was admitted to the hospital's Clinical Decision Unit on 6/28/12 for cellulitis (a bacterial infection just below the skin surface).Patient 2 was admitted to the hospital's Clinical Decision Unit on 6/28/12 for "female genital symptoms".On 9/13/12 at 10 a.m. during an entity reported incident investigation the privacy officer stated that one of the hospital's registrar (Staff A) had inadvertently placed Patient 2's identification armband on Patient 1. The incorrect armband was placed on 6/28/12 at 4:30 p.m. and removed on 6/29/12 at 1 p.m. when the hospital identified Patient 1 had the incorrect identification armband. After an internal investigation the hospital identified Patient 1 received medications from three different nurses during the above time frame. When asked if the correct medications were administered to Patient 1, the privacy officer stated yes. On 9/13/12 at 10:35 a.m. during an interview with the director of patient access, she stated that Staff A had placed the incorrect armband on Patient 1 because she did not confirm the patient's identity prior to placing the armband. The director of patient access further stated that prior to placing an identification armband on a patient, employees are required to ask the patient his or her name and confirm the identification armband matches the patient. On 9/14/12 at 10:50 a.m during a telephone interview with the privacy officer, she stated Patient 2's identification armband which was placed on Patient 1, disclosed Patient 2's name, medical record number, and date of birth.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights