HospitalInspections.org

Based on staff interview and record review, the facility failed to maintain the privacy and confidentiality for one patient (Patient A) when an employee mailed Patient A ' s laboratory results to the wrong patient.

Findings:

An interview was conducted on 4/11/12 at 1:00 PM with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). The CNO stated that on 3/23/12, she was made aware that Patient A ' s laboratory results were accidentally mailed to the wrong patient. The CNO stated that when abnormal laboratory reports were needed to be sent to patients a letter was sent with lab results. The CNO further stated that the lab results were attached to the wrong chart and inadvertently the lab results were sent to wrong patient. The CNO stated that the breach was identified when the patient called and stated that the lab results sent did not belong to her.

Review on 4/11/12 of the laboratory sheet disclosed in error included the following personal health information (PHI)

? Patient name
? Age
? Sex
? Lab results
? Physician name

The CNO stated that the facility sent an employee to retrieve the information personally. The CNO further stated that the patient was called and notified of the breach.