EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: JHR211.01, 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 3). Patient 3's confidential information was given to Patient 4 when Patient 4 was pre-registered at the facility Emergency Department (ED) on July 15, 2013. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 3's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On August 27, 2013, at 9:30 a.m., an interview was conducted with the Compliance Specialist (CS). She stated: a. On July 15, 2013, Patient 4 presented to the facility ED seeking services, and was pre-registered by the ED Registrar as Patient 3. Patient 4 was given an arm band, conditions of admission consent, and valuables waiver.b. On July 15, 2013, when Patient 4 was subsequently called for a complete registration, the ED Registrar discovered the error, retrieved the incorrect registration documentation belonging to Patient 3, and corrected the registration mistake.Patient 4 received and had an opportunity to view Patient 3's PHI, which included name, date of birth, medical record number, and account number.Patient 3 was informed of the disclosure of his protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on July 19, 2013, to his last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile received on July 19, 2013, and a letter dated and mailed on July 19, 2013, of the unauthorized access of Patient 3's PHI.The facility policy and procedure titled "Patient Identification Policy and Procedure" revised January 3, 2011, revealed "... Patient identification at (name of facility) must be performed utilizing at least two of the following patient identifiers prior to any examination, provision of services, communication, treatment or procedure. ..."The facility policy and procedure titled "Information Privacy" reviewed/revised December 19, 2011, 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

Related Reports:

3 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 4ZO211.01, SMOZ11.01, V7Z111.01