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.
CONTRA COSTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
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 August 14, 2013. Also cited in 103 other reports.
Report ID: 2MXY11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: CONTRA COSTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of a patients' (Patient 1) medical information when Patient 1's After Visit Summary (AVS) was handed to Patient 2. This failure allowed the unlawful or unauthorized access to Patient 1's medical information. Findings: The California Department of Public Health was notified on 8/1/13 that a, "Breach of Protected Health Information (PHI)", occurred on 7/11/13.During an interview on 8/14/13 at 11 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated that, on 7/31/13, she was notified by the Safety and Event Reporting System that Patient 2 had been handed Patient 1's After Visit Summary (AVS), on 7/11/13, after a visit with her provider at the health center. Administrative Staff A also stated that the breach had been discovered, on 7/31/13, when Patient 2 came into the health center to speak to Licensed Staff C and handed her Patient 1's AVS which had been handed to Patient 2, on 7/11/13, by Licensed Staff B in error. Patient 1's PHI included Patient 1's name, medical record number, age, gender, reason for visit, provider name, department seen in, reason for visit, diagnoses, vital signs, weight, medication list, future appointments, and allergies.Administrative Staff A further stated that it was an error, in not following policy and procedure, when Licensed Staff B handed Patient 2 the AVS, for Patient 1, without double checking Patient 2's identity and comparing it to the AVS sheet. A review of the facility Policy and Procedure for, "PATIENT IDENTIFICATION PROCESS", (9/11), reveals the following: "III POLICY Ambulatory Care staff at all facility health centers will will protect and accurately identify each patient that we serve. Staff must reliably identify the individual as the person for whom the service or treatment is intended, must match the service or treatment to that individual, and must secure their protected health information and medical record accuracy at all encounters...V PROCEDURE F. Clinical and ancillary services staff will be responsible for verifying the patients' identity prior to rendering care, performing diagnostic studies, giving medications and treatments".
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280