EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: Q1SN11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure their (PHI) Protected Health Information was not disclosed to any entity not authorized to receive the information. This failed practice resulted in unauthorized access to Patient A's medical records and demographic information.Findings:On September 10, 2012, an unannounced visit was made to the facility to investigate a breach of PHI.An interview was conducted with the Compliance Officer, on September 10, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. The Compliance Officer stated the breach of protected health information occurred in the Emergency Department, on March 18, 2012. The Compliance Officer stated the ED employee gave the wrong discharge instructions and ER paperwork to Patient B. Patient B received Patient A's discharge instructions and ER paperwork. Two days later, on March 20, 2012, Patient B called the ED and notified the RN that she had another patient's records. The Compliance Officer stated the ED did not have a written policy and procedure for ensuring patients received the correct information and medical upon discharge. The facility's policy and procedure titled, "Information Privacy, " was reviewed. The policy indicated, "EMC will take all necessary steps to avoid unauthorized or unlawful access, use or disclosure of protected information..." The facility failed to ensure Patient B's Protected Health Information was not disclosed to any entity not authorized to receive the information.

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

16 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 0B0011.01, 0RFI11.01, 5RJU11.01, 6Y8Z11.01, 78UZ11.01, 8W3U11.01, BJKK11.01, FOJX11.01, HQLM11.01, IBVX11.01, M5TE11.01, OVIN11.01, TOBU11.01, WHRC11.01, WHRC11.02, XRSE11.01