Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for a violation of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on June 8, 2015. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: 4P6711.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure Protected Health Information (PHI) for one patient (Patient 1) was protected from unauthorization disclosure when information was faxed to a business instead of to Hospice. This failure resulted in the unauthorized disclosure and the potential for misuse of Patient 1's PHI. Findings:An interview was conducted with the Deputy Information Privacy Officer on June 8, 2015, at 3:45 p.m. She stated, "A Summary of Care Packet containing Patient 1's name, date of birth, phone number, identification number, procedures, medications, diagnoses, social history, discharge summary, and plan of care was inadvertently faxed to an incorrect phone number on May 26, 2015. The unintended recipient notified us of the error and agreed to destroy the documents."Patient 1 was notified of the information privacy breach of her protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on June 4, 2015, to her last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile received on June 4, 2015, and a letter dated and mailed on June 4, 2015, of the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 1's medical information.A review of the facility's policy titled, "Faxing Protected Health Information," was conducted on June 9, 2015. The procedure indicated, "...Whenever possible, staff faxing Protected health Information shall: 1. Telephone the receiving facility to inform them that Protected health Information is being faxed, confirm the fax number...2. Reconfirm the destination fax number prior to transmission by checking the telephone number displayed on the fax machine screen before transmitting it. 3. Confirm the success of the transmission by calling the intended recipient or by checking the the fax transmittal report, if available."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280