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 February 1, 2012. Also cited in 63 other reports.
Report ID: J0JV11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on staff interview and facility record review the facility failed to ensure that confidential patient health information was safeguarded from unauthorized use for one patient ( Patient 1) when Patient 1's history and physical report was faxed to the wrong physician.Findings:On 12/19/11 at 10:05 a.m., The California Department of Public Health received a telephone report from the facility that a breach of patient medical information had occurred on 12/14/11, and the facility had become aware of the breach on 12/16/11.During an interview on 2/1/12 at 8:45 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated on 12/14/11, a history and physical report for Patient 1 was faxed to the wrong physician by the transcription company used by the facility. Administrative Staff A stated the facility was notified by the receiving physician and it was confirmed that the misdirected fax was shredded. During further interview on 2/1/12 at 9:30 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated that there were two physicians with similar names and the employee who faxed the report did not verify the correct faxing information before sending the report. The employee was counseled and retrained.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280