SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL

Report ID: 9ITP11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL

Issue:

Based on interview, clinical record and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep personal health information confidential when Patient 14's personal information was inadvertently faxed to a physician not on the hospital staff, not involved in the patient's care and not authorized to have this information. This failure resulted in a breach of confidentiality and possible unauthorized use of the information.Findings:In an interview, on 12/20/12 at 10:30 a.m., the Privacy Officer stated that, on 11/15/12, personal and medical information for Patient 14 was inadvertently faxed to an outside physician not involved in this patient's care. He stated that he first became aware of the breach of confidentiality on 11/15/12 and informed the Department on 11/21/12. The error occurred when hospital staff directed a fax to an incorrect number. He confirmed the information which was sent. Review of administrative documents revealed that the information transmitted included the name, date of birth, medical record number, physician's name and medical information included in laboratory results.The incident occurred as a result of human error when the employee entered a fax contact number, which was incorrect, that had been received over the telephone and failed to confirm the correctness prior to transmitting.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

15 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 02WQ11.01, 0MP211.01, 6JR911.01, 6Q7T11.01, BS4A11.01, CNNJ11.01, DIP511.01, G7V411.01, HX4711.01, IDNS11.01, ITB911.01, NITG11.01, RNTD11.01, UW5511.01, Z2G411.01