Physician Revises Faxing Procedures to Safeguard PHI
Physician Revises Faxing Procedures to Safeguard PHI
Covered Entity: Health Care Provider
Issue: Safeguards
A doctor's office disclosed a patient's HIV status when the office
mistakenly faxed medical records to the patient's place of employment
instead of to the patient's new health care provider. The employee
responsible for the disclosure received a written disciplinary warning,
and both the employee and the physician apologized to the patient. To
resolve this matter, OCR also required the practice to revise the
office's fax cover page to underscore a confidential communication for
the intended recipient. The office informed all its employees of the
incident and counseled staff on proper faxing procedures.
| Mental Health Center Provides Access and Revises Policies and Procedures Covered Entity: Mental Health Center Issue: Access, Restrictions The complainant alleged that a mental health center (the "Center") refused to provide her with a copy of her medical record, including psychotherapy notes. OCR’s investigation revealed that the Center provided the complainant with an opportunity to review her medical record, including the psychotherapy notes, with her therapist, but the Center did not provide her with a copy of her records. The Privacy Rule requires covered entities to provide individuals with access to their medical records; however, the Privacy Rule exempts ...read more |
| Dentist Revises Process to Safeguard Medical Alert PHI Covered Entity: Health Care Provider Issue: Safeguards, Minimum Necessary An OCR investigation confirmed allegations that a dental practice flagged some of its medical records with a red sticker with the word "AIDS" on the outside cover, and that records were handled so that other patients and staff without need to know could read the sticker. When notified of the complaint filed with OCR, the dental practice immediately removed the red AIDS sticker from the complainant's file. To resolve this matter, OCR also required the practice to revise its policies and operating ...read more |
| Large Health System Restricts Provider's Use of Patient Records Covered Entity: Multi-Hospital Healthcare Provider Issue: Impermissible Use A nurse practitioner who has privileges at a multi-hospital health care system and who is part of the system’s organized health care arrangement impermissibly accessed the medical records of her ex-husband. In order to resolve this matter to OCR’s satisfaction and to prevent a recurrence, the covered entity: terminated the nurse practitioner’s access to its electronic records system; reported the nurse practitioner’s conduct to the appropriate licensing authority; and, provided the nurse practitioner with remedial Privacy Rule training. ...read more |
| Private Practice Implements Safeguards for Waiting Rooms Covered Entity: Private Practice Issue: Safeguards; Impermissible Uses and Disclosures A staff member of a medical practice discussed HIV testing procedures with a patient in the waiting room, thereby disclosing PHI to several other individuals. Also, computer screens displaying patient information were easily visible to patients. Among other corrective actions to resolve the specific issues in the case, OCR required the provider to develop and implement policies and procedures regarding appropriate administrative and physical safeguards related to the communication of PHI. The practice trained all staff on the newly developed policies and ...read more |
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