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 October 15, 2014. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: ZW7111, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure all patient protected health information (PHI) was kept protected, which resulted in the unauthorized access of the patient's confidential information (Patient 2). Patient 2's confidential information was mailed to Acute Care Facility B rather than Acute Care Facility A, on September 22, 2014. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 2's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On October 15, 2014, at 9:45 a.m., an interview was conducted with the Deputy Information Privacy Officer (DIPO). She stated: a. On September 22, 2014, Laboratory Test Results for Patient 2 were mailed to an acute care facility at the request of the patient.b. On October 8, 2014, Acute Care Facility B returned the Laboratory Test Results for Patient 2 via US Mail with a note attached that indicated "not a pt (patient) here."c. Patient 2's Laboratory Test Results had been mailed by a Laboratory Client Services Representative to Acute Care Facility B rather than the correct location which was Acute Care Facility A, on September 22, 2014.d. The addresses for Acute Care Facility A and B were similar, and the Laboratory Department's practice was to verify the address prior to mailing out Laboratory Test Results.Employees of Acute Care Facility B received and had an opportunity to view Patient 2's PHI, which included name, date of birth, medical record number, financial number, date of service, physician's name, and Laboratory Test Results.Patient 2 was informed of the disclosure of his protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on October 14, 2014, to his last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile received on October 14, 2014, and a letter dated and mailed on October 14, 2014, of the unauthorized access of Patient 2's PHI.The facility policy and procedure titled, "Information Privacy" reviewed/revised January 2, 2014, revealed, "... (facility name) will take all necessary steps to avoid unauthorized or unlawful access, use or disclosure of protected health information ... Whenever possible, the Information Privacy Officer will contact the individual or organization to whom the information was inappropriately or unlawfully accessed, used or released and requested that no further access, use or disclosure of the information is made and to return or destroy the information. The Information Privacy Officer will contact the Department of Public Health and report the breach within (5) five days of discovery. The Information Privacy Officer will contact the patient within (5) five days of discovery to inform him or her of the unauthorized access, use of disclosure and the plan or step's taken to mitigate it. ..."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280