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 March 6, 2012. Also cited in 58 other reports.
Report ID: 9M8711.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SUTTER COAST HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to prevent unauthorized access to one patient's protected health information (PHI).Findings:In interview on 3/6/12 at 10 a.m., Staff A stated that on 4/2/11, Staff B faxed Patient 1's medication reconciliation record (list of patient's current medications) to Safeway pharmacy. The pharmacy faxed the report back on 4/3/11 and informed the hospital that Patient 1 was not one of their clients. Staff A stated that the copy machine in use was both a copier and a fax machine. Staff A stated that Staff B may have intended to copy the form and inadvertently faxed it instead. Staff A stated that they had been unable to determine whether the report had been intended for another recipient or should not have been faxed at all. Record review on 3/6/12 demonstrated that Patient 1's breached PHI consisted of name, age, sex, date of birth, medical record number, date and place of treatment, home medications, and attending physician's name.Record review on 3/6/12 confirmed that Patient 1 was notified of the breach on 4/5/11, and the Department was notified on 4/6/11, within 5 business days of discovery of the error.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280