EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: G3MK11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the PHI (protected health information) of Patient B remained confidential. This failure resulted in the disclosure of Patient B's PHI to an individual not authorized to receive this information (Patient A). Findings:An interview was conducted with with the facility's Compliance Specialist on November 14, 2012, at 11 a.m. The Compliance Specialist stated Patients A and B were both treated in the facility's emergency room and at the time of discharge, Patient A was given a written physician's order to return to the facility for further testing.The Compliance Specialist further stated the physician's order for Patient A was labeled with Patient B's identifying information.The PHI of Patient B disclosed included the patient's name, date of birth, medical record number, and account number.A review of the facility policy, "HIPPA (Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act) - Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information (Last Reviewed/Revised 11/18/2011)," was conducted. The policy indicated, "The confidentiality of Protected Health Information contained in records and collected pursuant to treatment will be protected to the fullest extent possible. To maintain this confidentiality (facility) staff may not disseminate PHI unless it is pursuant to a valid request, a valid authorization or a legally recognized exception to this requirement."

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

1 other violation reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 3JOZ11.01