MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Report ID: RB8G11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Issue:

Based on staff interview and administrative document review, the hospital failed to ensure personal health information was kept confidential when Patient 26's Emergency Department report was sent to an incorrect physician, who was not involved in the patient's care and not authorized to receive the information. This resulted in a breach of confidentiality for Patient 31 and possible unauthorized use of the information. Findings:During an interview on 2/19/13, the Director of Compliance and Ethics stated that the error occurred when an employee of the transcription company faxed Patient 26's dictated report to an incorrect physician. The intended physician's name was spelled almost the same as the physician who received the report. The Director of Compliance and Ethics confirmed the information which was sent.Review of the facility documentation revealed the information disclosed within that record included Patient 26's name, age, medical record and account numbers, date of service, and medical information including a report of the patient's Emergency Department visit..The incident occurred due to human error when the employee failed to confirm the correct name of the intended physician prior to sending the report and selected a physician whose name was similar to the intended physician.

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

10 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 1H4411.01, 7DD611.01, BDHS11.01, I1D811.01, IOU711.01, LQ2D11.01, M6II11.01, NNSV11.01, VHRV11.01, W4OR11.01