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.
MARIN GENERAL 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 September 13, 2013. Also cited in 63 other reports.
Report ID: X04E11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of three patients' (Patient 1, Patient 2, and Patient 3) protected health information, when some of the patients' medical information was sent to another facility. This failure allowed the unlawful or unauthorized access of protected health information.Findings: The California Department of Public Health was notified on 9/12/13 that a breach of protected health information occurred on 7/27/13.During an interview on 9/13/13 at 9:15 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated that on 9/9/13, the facility Health Information Supervisor notified him that Unlicensed Staff B had called Unlicensed Staff E on 9/9/13, in search of the results of three specimens sent on 7/27/13, to Laboratory F.During an interview on 9/13/13 at 9:15 a.m., Administrative Staff A also stated that investigation, on 9/9/13, had determined that Laboratory F sent the laboratory results to Facility G, based on the coding marked on each specimen. Unlicensed Staff C had transposed one number of the coding of each specimen so that instead of the results being sent to the facility where Patient 1, Patient 2, and Patient 3 had sought diagnostic treatment, the lab results for all 3 patients were sent to Facility G.During an interview on 9/13/13 at 9:15 a.m., Administrative Staff A further stated that it was a human error on the part of Unlicensed Staff C.A review of the facility Policy and Procedure for, "CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT" (no date), reveals the following: "Obligations Regarding Confidentiality Patient health and facility organizational information is protected by law and by facility policies. The intent of these laws and policies is to assure that confidentiality of information is maintained while used for business and clinical operations".
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280