DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: KR9C11.02, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on staff interview and document review the facility failed to report an unauthorized disclosure of a patients' medical information to the Department within five calendar days of after the disclosure was detected. The hospital detected that Patient 1's medical information was faxed to an incorrect fax number on 2/6/09 but did not report the disclosure to the Department until 2/20/09 (9 days late).Findings:On 2/20/09 the hospital reported to the Department an unauthorized disclosure of Patient 1's medical information. The hospital reported that on 2/6/09 an employee obtained a fax number from an adjacent County Health Department and faxed portions of Patient 1's medical records (discharge orders and aftercare plan) to that number. The number was incorrect and a private business in that county received the medical records instead of the County Health Department. The private business notified the hospital immediately and assured the hospital that the records were destroyed. The hospital implemented an investigation and on 2/18/09 determined that the disclosure should be reported. The hospital's investigation report indicated that on 2/19/09 a letter would be developed and when approved would be mailed to the Department. Post Office date stamp shows a mailed date of 2/20/09. On 10/9/12 at 11:30 a.m. the hospital's Health Compliance Officer was interviewed and confirmed the above information and that the hospital detected the disclosure on 2/6/09.

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

The report containing this deficiency also includes information about 1 other violation. Note that these may be related to the same event: KR9C11.01