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 19, 2014. Also cited in 58 other reports.
Report ID: J3IL11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of Patient 3's confidential health information, when the patient's information was sent to the patient's family, who were not authorized to have the information. This failure allowed for potential unlawful or unauthorized access to protected health information and a violation of the patient's right to privacy.Findings:During an interview on 12/19/14 at 10:30 a.m., the Privacy Officer stated that the incident occurred during a time when a system change was being done and the information was not correctly updated at the time of the patient's care. This resulted in the insurance and billing information being sent incorrectly. The Privacy Officer confirmed the information which was transmitted. Interview and review of documents, provided by the facility, revealed the information which was misdirected included the patient's name, date of birth, insurance information and laboratory results. This incident occurred due to the failure of the facility to ensure that information entered into the system was correctly reflected in the patient's record.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280