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 February 19, 2013. Also cited in 63 other reports.
Report ID: 1H4411.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on staff interview and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep personal health information confidential when Patient 20's information was sent to a physician who was not intended to receive the information and not authorized to receive it. This resulted in a breach of confidentiality for the patient and possible unauthorized use of the information. Findings:During an interview on 2/19/13, at 3 p.m., the Director of Compliance and Ethics stated that the error occurred when an employee faxed a medical record for Patient 20 to a physician not involved with the patient's care. The patient's computer record contained the incorrect physician's name; the physician had the same last name as the one intended to receive the information and as a result, the information was sent to the incorrect fax number. The Compliance Director confirmed the information which was sent.Review of the facility documentation revealed the information disclosed included the patient's name, date of birth, medical record and account numbers, and medical information including X-ray results.The incident occurred as a result of the employees failure to verify the physician's name prior to entering the information on the patient's record.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280