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 September 10, 2012. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: WHRC11.01, 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 July 20, 2012, EMC staff discovered that Protected Health Information was given to entity not authorized to receive the information. The admitting clerk printed a label containing Patient A's information and placed it on another patient ' s admission medical records. The label included Patient A's sex, date of birth, age, name, and medical/account numbers.An interview was conducted with the Compliance Officer on September 10, 2012, 12:30 p.m. The Compliance Officer stated the admitting clerk was careless and did not check the label before placing it on the hospital admission records.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." The policy did not include procedures for verifying accuracy of the information on the patient labels.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280