Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital (“Memorial Hermann”) is notifying patients that protected health information regarding echocardiogram (EKG) results was disclosed inadvertently.
On May 19, 2023, the Memorial Hermann’s Privacy Office was notified and initiated an investigation regarding the disclosure of EKG results as part of school-athletic physicals. Memorial Hermann completed its investigation on July 11, 2023 and found that in 2022, minors visited Memorial Hermann to receive an EKG as part of being cleared for participation in school sports.
Once completed and reviewed by a physician, a copy of the EKG results may have been sent to the school’s athletic department without authorization. Other than disclosing the EKG results in accordance with the University Interscholastic League or other scholastic program rules, Memorial Hermann is unaware of any further disclosures.
Memorial Hermann takes the privacy of its patients seriously. We remain committed to providing the highest quality of care and protecting the confidentiality, security, and integrity of the personal information for all patients. Memorial Hermann has taken this opportunity to re-educate its staff on hosting community screening events and scenarios requiring an authorization to use or disclose health information in an effort to prevent a reoccurrence.
More information can be found by contacting the Memorial Hermann Privacy Office by calling 1-800-621-4249 or emailing Privacy-inquiry@memorialhermann.org