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 January 18, 2012. Also cited in 63 other reports.
Report ID: 2X8O11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on observation and interview the hospital failed to ensure patient's rights with full consideration of privacy of the medical care program. Findings:During an observation tour of the hospital Emergency Department on 1/25/12 at 10:35 a.m., a large white board was observed, prominently displayed on the wall by a four bed bay. This large white board was visible from the hallway in the Emergency Department and outside the large 4 bed bay and also visible outside the opposite four bed bay on the other side of the nurses' station in the center of the Emergency Department. Upon the white board were clearly listed the last names of the patients currently in the Emergency Department. Other personal health care information listed on this white board were the following notations: "Lab" (for lab work being done and what kind of lab work for example 'UA' for urinalysis), " EKG" (if an electrocardiogram of the patient's heart was being done and "Rad" (for radiology, if the patient was having X-rays. Under "notes" there was a notation if the patient had an IV(intravenous infusion).Physician A was interviewed on 2/6/2012. Physician A stated that the white board was there for "patient safety" and that he was told by JCAHO (Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations) that it was "all right" (to have the white board with patient health care information).
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights