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 July 30, 2013. Also cited in 58 other reports.
Report ID: 2YS011.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of Patient 9's protected, confidential health information, when Patient 9's laboratory information was shared with persons not involved in the patient's care. This failure allowed for potential unlawful or unauthorized use of the information and was a violation of the patient's right to privacy. Findings: During an interview on 7/30/13 at 1 p.m., the Compliance Officer confirmed that the patient's private information had been left on a voicemail of an unauthorized person. When an employee was attempting to notify a Nurse Practitioner of laboratory results, she was given the cell phone number of the intended person's spouse and subsequently left the message containing the personal information. The Compliance Officer confirmed the information which was shared. A review of the letter submitted by the facility revealed that the information which was shared included the patient's name and the results of a laboratory test. The incident resulted from the staff person's failure to confirm that the phone number which was reached was that of the authorized person before leaving personal information on the voice mail.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280