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 November 5, 2012. Also cited in 103 other reports.
Report ID: Q6X511, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: CONTRA COSTA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview, the agency failed to protect the information in the immunization record of one (Patient 1) patient from an unauthorized person when Registered Nurse (RN1) gave Patient 2 ' s mother the immunization record of Patient 1. This failure placed Patient 1 at risk for identity theft and constituted a breach in the confidentiality of the patient ' s medical information. Findings:During a telephone interview, on 11/6/12 at 10:00 a.m., the Privacy Officer (PO) stated that on 10/23/12 at 11:30 a.m., RN 1 mistakenly gave Patient 1 ' s immunization record to Patient 2's mother. The PO stated that there were two families in the clinic to pick up immunization records. The mother of Patient 2 (P2M) later realized the immunization record was not her daughter ' s and returned it to the clinic on 10/23/12. The PO stated the facility became aware of the breach on 10/24/12 at 9:20 p.m. and reported the breach to CDPH on 10/26/12. Review of the letter faxed from the Agency to CDPH, dated 10/26/12, showed that both Patient 1 and Patient 2 were seen in the clinic on 10/23/12. The letter also showed that the immunization record for Patient 1 contained the patient's name; medical record number, date of birth, gender, name and date of vaccine ' s given, name of the clinic where vaccines and the due date for the next vaccine.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights