Which entity is primarily responsible for patient privacy complaints regarding misdirected reports?

The Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) is primarily responsible for overseeing patient privacy and compliance within healthcare organizations. This role encompasses addressing and managing privacy-related complaints, including those related to misdirected reports. The CPO develops and implements privacy policies, ensures adherence to relevant privacy laws and regulations, and serves as a point of contact for privacy issues. Their expertise in handling patient information and understanding the complexities of privacy laws makes them the most appropriate individual to address complaints that arise from misdirected reports.

In contrast, while health information managers also play a vital part in managing patient data and ensuring its accuracy and confidentiality, their focus is more on the operational aspects of health information systems and data quality. Hospital administration may have a broader role in managing the overall functioning of the hospital, including legal and policy implementation, but they may not specialize in individual patient privacy complaints. External auditors are responsible for assessing compliance and may identify issues related to privacy, but they don't typically handle complaints directly from patients. This delineation of roles clarifies why the CPO is the key figure in addressing privacy-specific issues.