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 August 3, 2012. Also cited in 63 other reports.
Report ID: KXIJ11.01, 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 7's Discharge Summary was sent to an agency that had not been authorized by the patient. This resulted in a breach of the PHI for Patient 7 and possible unauthorized use of the information. Findings:During an interview on 8/3/12 at 10 a.m., the Director of Compliance and Ethics stated that the error occurred when the record was sent to an ambulance service which had requested a physician's certification. The facility staff faxed information which was not requested and not authorized.The information disclosed within that record included Patient 7's name, birth date, medical record number and information regarding the patient's medical information and summary of the hospitalization. The staff should have verified what information was to have been sent.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280