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 violations of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on January 14, 2013. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: LMUC11.01, 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 demographic information, and medical records.Findings:An interview was conducted with the Facility Privacy Officer (FPO), on January 14, 2013, at 10 a.m. The FPO stated the breach occurred on December 11, 2012. Patient A's medical records, including medication reconciliation sheet with the patient's name, date of birth, medical record number, prescription number, and physician's name were given to Patient B. The breach was discovered by Patient B's pharmacist. The pharmacist was filling the prescription for Patient B and he noticed the forms contained Patient A's information. The FPO stated two errors occurred that contributed to the breach. First, the physician put the wrong name on Patient B's medical records. Second, the medical assistant gave the medical records to Patient B without verifying the name on the forms. The facility's policy and procedure titled, "HIPPA-Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information," was reviewed. The policy indicated, "It is the policy of [name of hospital] that 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 EMC staff may not disseminate PHI..."The facility failed to ensure Patient A'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