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| | Former Detroit Hospital Operaters Face $1 Million Fine For Improper Record Disposal
Former Detroit hospital operators face $1 million fine
October 4, 2007
FREE PRESS STAFF
LANSING - A metro Detroit doctor was among several defendants fined a total $1 million and named by the state in a separate lawsuit alleging improper disposal of patient medical records from the bankrupt Greater Detroit Hospital.
The Michigan Department of Community Health used its regulatory authority Wednesday to announce the $1 million fine Wednesday against Dr. Soon K. Kim, whose Quality Health Plan owned the former hospital along the Detroit-Hamtramck border that went bankrupt in 2002. His Marbella Management company operated the facility.
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In a separate seven-count indictment filed in Detroit, Attorney General Mike Cox's office named Dr. Kim, Quality Health Plan, Marbella Management, Signature Healthcare Services and Don Won (David) Kim as defendants.
The relationship between the two Kims was not immediately clear from a prepared press statement issued by the state. Neither man could immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
The fine and lawsuit come after medical records in large piles several feet high were found burning by firefighters responding Aug. 29 to a farm owned by Dr. Kim in Ingham County's Salem Township. The records contained names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, credit card data, medical condition details, and other personal information.
Thousands of other medical records were found in July inside another building near the closed hospital that was owned by a company to which Kim was affiliated, authorities said. Residents near the vacant hospital have previously reported seeing medical records blowing down streets outside the structure.
The state's lawsuit seeks an order requiring the defendants to identify within 14 days all locations where records associated with Greater Detroit Hospital are located, and requires the defendants to pay for appropriate records disposal.
"People have a right to know that their medical records are kept safe and secure," Cox said in announcing the lawsuit. "Beyond disposing of these records improperly, these individuals' actions place patient's personal and private medical information at risk."
The state lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction against the defendants to prevent the future burning of patient records, x-ray films, microfiche, and other medical documents that were brought to Salem Township for disposal.
Burning records is "in clear violation of state law protecting patient privacy and it will absolutely not go unpunished," said Janet Olszewski, MDCH Director. She called the case "the most egregious case we have ever witnessed in this state." | |
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