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 28, 2012. Also cited in 63 other reports.
Report ID: CBTM11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL
Issue:
Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to prevent unauthorized access to one patient's protected health information (PHI).Findings:In interview on 2/28/12 at noon, Staff A stated that on 11/7/11, he was notified by the hospital's contracted transcription company that on 11/4/11, one of their transcriptionists had faxed Patient 1's emergency department (ED) report to Physician B (not a member of the hospital staff) instead of Physician C. Physician B's name was just before that of Physician C on the computerized address list for faxing, and their names sound similar. Staff A stated that the transcription company's protocol in cases where the intended physicians name is not clear is to call the person who dictated the report and get clarification. The transcriptionist did not follow the protocol.Record review on 2/28/12 demonstrated that Patient 1's breached personal health information consisted of age, sex, medical record number, chief complaint, medical history and physical examination report, diagnosis, treatment, service date, and treating physician.Record review on 2/28/12 confirmed that the Department and Patient 1 were notified of the error on 11/8/11, within 5 business days of the event.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280