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.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS 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 December 10, 2012. Also cited in 13 other reports.
Report ID: 99F911, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on observation and interview the facility staff failed to assure that personal medical information was not posted on a wall of one of 64 patients' rooms (Patient 51) which made the information visible to all visitors to the unit. This violated the residents right to privacy and had the potential to embarrass the patient. The findings. On 12/10/12 at 2:30 p.m. a tour of the burn unit revealed a hand made sign affixed to the exterior wall of Patient 51's room. The sign read "C DIFF" in letters 2 inches high on the top line. "C DIFF " is Clostridium difficile a highly contagious bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from malodorous diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon.The Nurse Manager of the unit stated he was aware of the sign and the resident was on infection control precautions related to the infection. He stated that all visitors to the unit could pass the room and the sign was visible to them. The Manager of Infection Control was present and spoke to the Nurse Manager about standard signs available and used in other area of the hospital. She stated that facility approved signs should not identify the organism of infection.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: PATIENT RIGHTS: PERSONAL PRIVACY