MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Report ID: NYQ411.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Issue:

Based on interview, clinical record and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep unauthorized access of personal and patient information when Patient 13's radiology results were faxed to an unauthorized physician by error. This failure resulted in a breach of personal and patient information and possible unauthorized use of the information.Findings:In an interview on 8/3/12 at 10 a.m., the Compliance/Privacy Officer stated that on 2/23/12, medical information of Patient 13 was misdirected via fax to an unauthorized physician. He stated that he first became aware of the breach of confidentiality on 2/23/12 and informed the Department on 2/29/12. He explained that the information for Patient 11 was intended for a physician in the network. There were two physicians with the same last name (a different first name). The report was sent to the physician whose name came alphabetically before the intended physician ("E instead of "J") and was not on staff. The Privacy officer confirmed the information which was sent.Review of administrative documents revealed that the information transmitted included Patient 13's name, age, date of birth, medical record number, and medical information. Review of the administrative documents demonstrated that Patient 13 was informed of the breach on 2/29/12. The employee failed to verify the name of the ordering physician and that the fax number was of that physician.

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

6 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 55SR11.01, 9AYY11.01, FPFL11.01, KXIJ11.01, PR8A11.01, ZG7T11.01