MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Report ID: OCHR11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure of a patient's (Patient 1) medical information when it was sent to the wrong medical provider. This failure allowed the unlawful or unauthorized access to patient 1's medical information. Findings:The California Department of Public Health was notified on 10/17/13 that a, breach of protected health information, occurred on 10/15/13.During an interview on 11/13/13 at 9 a.m., Administrative Staff A stated that he received notification on 10/15/13, from Management Staff C that he had received a fax, from the wrong physician's office, indicating that Patient 1's radiology report was had been faxed to them in error. Patient 1's information included, name, date of birth, age, gender, medical record number, ordering physician's name, reason for study, and X-ray results.During an interview on 11/13/13 at 9 a.m., Administrative Staff A also stated that it was a human error, on the part of Unlicensed Staff B, as she entered the wrong physician on Patient 1's record during the admission process instead of Patient 1's Physician.Review of the facility Policy and Procedure for, "CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT" (no date), reveals the following: "Obligations Regarding Confidentiality Patient health and facility organizational information is protected by law and by facility policies. The intent of these laws and policies is to assure that confidentiality of information is maintained while used for business and clinical operations."

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

1 other violation reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: VU3511.01