MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Report ID: 9AYY11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Issue:

Based on interview, clinical record and administrative document review, the hospital failed to unauthorized access of personal and patient health information when Patient 8's Emergency Department record was faxed to an unauthorized physician by error. This failure resulted in a breach of personal and patient health health 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 3/08/12, medical information of Patient 8 was misdirected via fax to an unauthorized physician. He stated that he first became aware of the breach of confidentiality on 3/08/12 and informed the Department on 3/12/12. He explained that the information for Patient 8 was intended for a physician in the network. There were two physicians with the same last name and first name (the first name was spelled differently). The report was sent to the wrong physician, who was not on staff. The Privacy Officer confirmed the information which was sent.Review of administrative documents revealed that the information transmitted included Patient 8's name, age, medical record and accounting numbers, and medical information. Review of the administrative documents demonstrated that Patient 8 was informed of the breach on 3/12/12.The employee failed to verify the name of the ordering 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, FPFL11.01, KXIJ11.01, NYQ411.01, PR8A11.01, ZG7T11.01