HospitalInspections.org

Based on staff interview and record review, the hospital failed to provide a patient with a written response to a patient's grievance. ( Patient #1) Findings include:

Per interview on 5/18/10 at 11:55 AM, the Department Manager for Medical Records/Health Information confirmed a former patient, who received outpatient services between the months of 9/09 through 11/09 at the hospital, registered a complaint regarding unauthorized disclosure of the patient's health information. The manager, who is also the hospital Privacy Officer, stated Patient #1 came to the hospital on 1/27/10 and alleged a hospital employee had released Patient #1's health information to a 3rd party. The Privacy Officer conducted an investigation per the Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPPA) requirements and provided a verbal response regarding investigation results to Patient #1. However, no written notice in response to the patient's grievance was provided to the patient who again contacted the Privacy Officer on 3/23/10 with additional information regarding related to the original grievance. Although a second verbal response was again provided to Patient #1 on 3/25/10 by the Chief Information Officer, the hospital failed to provide a written notice of their decision that contains the name of a contact person, the steps taken on behalf of the patient to investigate the grievance, and the date of completion as required.