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 February 6, 2014. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: GDIT11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of protected health information (PHI) for one patient, when a discharge form with Patient A's information was given to the wrong patient. This failure resulted in an unauthorized person having access to Patient A's PHI and the potential misuse of the information. Findings:On December 5, 2013, the facility notified the California Department of Public Health, that an office visit summary with Patient A's name, date of birth, medication list and prescription orders, was inadvertently handed to the wrong patient. During an interview with the facility Information Privacy Officer (IPO) on February 6, 2014, at 19:45 a.m., the IPO stated Patient B was handed documents that included a copy of Patient A's office visit summary. The IPO stated Patient B was seen in the emergency room on the same day and the document was recovered at that time. A copy of the document inadvertently given to Patient B was reviewed. The document contained Patient A's name, date of birth, date of service, medical list, and prescription orders. The facility policy and procedure titled "Discharge Instructions," with a last reviewed/revised dated of January 2, 2013, indicated "the staff member discharging the patient will highlight the patient's name and pertinent special instructions on each sheet of discharge instructions." The facility policy and procedure titled "HIPAA- Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information," undated, indicated "It is the policy of ...(facility's name) that the confidentiality of Protected Health information in records and collected...will be protected to the fullest extent possible." The policy defines PHI as individually identifiable information. The policy indicated, "To protect the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality, at no time will names or information be shared with any person who does not have the need to know in order to provide patient care."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280