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 July 2, 2012. Also cited in 63 other reports.
Report ID: LNW711.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on staff interviews, clinical record and administrative document review, the hospital failed to keep protected health information (PHI) confidential when Patient 16's medical records were sent to an incorrect facility. This resulted in a breach of the PHI for Patient 16 and possible unauthorized use of the information. Findings:During an interview on 7/2/12, the Director of Compliance and Ethics stated that the error occurred when an employee faxed a record for Patient 16 to a facility where she was not a patient. The information disclosed within that record included Patient 16's name, birth date, medical record number and a report of the patient's medical history and physical examination.The medical records employee picked up the incorrect record and faxed it.The information entered on a patient's data sheet should be verified prior to being sent. The current policy/ procedure submitted by the facility does not include a quality control mechanism for confirming the right identity on documents being faxed.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280