Someone else's SA chart........

[Grammabear]

I recently had my yearly appointment with the sleep apnea doctor and when the appointment was over, I asked for a print out they did with my SD card.  The SD card gives the doctor and the insurance company the pertinent information about how many hours per night I use my CPAP machine.  Things have been hectic at my house the past few days, so I placed the report from the doctor on the table and didn't read it until this morning.

I was shocked to learn they gave me the report of someone else.  The report gives me the patient's ID number, their birthdate, their phone number and tells me exactly how they use their CPAP machine.  I feel it is a clear violation of that person's privacy, only I don't know who to tell about it.  I'm absolutely certain if I return to the doctor office, they will shred the report and never let anyone know they made a major mistake.  What to do?

[Shanny]

Dàmn! That's a tough one & I suspect you're right - if you just return it to the office, it's likely to get shredded to cover somebody's hind side! The information needs to get to the doctor himself, or the office manager - and without giving it back - just showing them to verify what happened.

[skb]

If it were India, I would return it with a covering letter/note on the duplicate of which I would take a receipt of the papers returned. That way, they could do what they like, but you'd always have the proof, if needed.

[Grammabear]

The mystery of how I ended up with someone else's personal information is solved I think.  Several months ago I bought a used cpap machine online that had only 54 hours use on it.  When the online company prepared the machine for shipment to me, they neglected to expunge the personal information contained on the internal working of the machine.  Then when I presented the SD card from my machine for download at the sleep doctor office, it still showed the former owner's personal data.  I contacted the online company and because it is a HIPPA violation on their part, they are sending me a brand new machine with brand new SD card.  The owner of the online machine was not happy when he realized that his company had neglected this particular chore.

[skb]

Good for you. A beneficial mystery indeed