EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: FOJX11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and document review, the facility failed for one patient (Patient A), to ensure that (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 demographic information and medical records.Findings:On September 10, 2012, a visit was made to the facility to investigate a breach of PHI.On April 2, 2012, the facility EMC staff discovered PHI was given to an entity not authorized to receive the information, when Patient B called to contest a bill he had received for services he did not have. An interview was conducted with the Compliance Officer on September 10, 2012, 12:30 p.m. The Compliance Officer stated the admitting clerk registered Patient A under the wrong name. Both Patient A and B had similar name. The compliance officer further stated, the clerk should have verified with date of birth to ensure she had registered the correct patient, but apparently she did not. The clerk generated an armband, Patient Information Form (face sheet), Condition of Admissions form, and requisition form that collectively contained the patient's name, age, date of birth, address, phone number, insurance information, the facility medical record, and account number. Patient A received outpatient radiological services.The facility's policy and procedure titled, "Patient Identification Policy and Procedure," was reviewed. The purpose of the policy indicated, "To accurately identify the individual as the person for whom the service or treatment is intended and to match the service or treatment to that individual...Patient registration is responsible for creating the identification bracelet appropriately...Patient registration or designated person specific to area within the organization, will verify the accuracy of the information on the identification bracelet with the patient or responsible party...Patient registration or designated person will apply and secure the identification bracelet with immediate confirmation of the patients first and last name, date of birth at the time of the encounter..."

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, HQLM11.01, IBVX11.01, M5TE11.01, OVIN11.01, Q1SN11.01, TOBU11.01, WHRC11.01, WHRC11.02, XRSE11.01