EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: B5KQ11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the protected health information (PHI) of Patient A remained confidential. This failure led to the disclosure of Patient A's PHI to an unauthorized entity.Findings:An interview was conducted with the facility's Legal Counsel, Staff 1, on February 11, 2014, at 11a.m. Staff 1 stated a Case Manager gave the Discharge Planning Specialist (DPS) an incorrect FAX number for an insurance company. The DPS subsequently sent a Health Care Management worksheet which contained Patient A's PHI to the unauthorized entity.A review of Patient A's PHI which was disclosed on the Health Care Management worksheet reflected Patient A's name, address, date of birth, medical record and account numbers, diagnoses, including surgical history, laboratory results and a medication list.A review of the facility's policy, "Faxing protected Health Information (Last Reviewed/Revised 03/21/2013)," was conducted. The policy indicated, "All Protected health Information sent or received by (facility) shall be in a manner that protects against unauthorized disclosure of such records to third parties. Whenever it is necessary to fax Protected Health Information, staff must comply with the procedures set forth in this policy....Whenever possible staff faxing protected Health information shall: Telephone the receiving facility to inform them that Protected Health Information is being faxed, confirm the fax number and determine whether the fax machine is located in a secured area..."

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: 7U6R11.01