I had patient data stored for research purposes. I lost it somewhere, cannot find it. Is this a HIPPA violation? What do I need to do? Should i report this to someone?

J_9

Ummm, were you given permission to put this info on a memory drive? Were you given express written permission from each patient?

Are you the doctor? Nurse? Receptionist? What is your position at your place of employment?

This most definitely sounds like a HIPAA violation.

J_9

Were you given permission to put this data on a USB drive?

starlight87

Hmm...i had no idea i would have to seek permission. i did not ask anyone

J_9

In that case, yes, it is a HIPAA violation as you violated the private rights of the patients.

At any given time there are approximately 75 people looking at our medical records. They are required to keep those records private and those records belong to the institution where the patient/s were treated.

It is possible what happened can be construed not only as a HIPAA violation, but as theft as well.

You lost that drive, now, if there was personal info on it, such as social security numbers, insurance company numbers, birth dates, etc.....this can pose a threat of identity theft if found the the wrong person or persons.

starlight87

Thank you