EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: IDWZ11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure PHI was not disclosed to a person or persons who were not authorized to have access to it when an ED admitting clerk faxed the face sheet for one patient (Patient 1) to an insurance company in error. This failed practice resulted in the potential for physical, emotional, and financial harm to Patient 1.Findings:During an interview with the facility Legal Assistant on July 23, 2013, at 2 p.m., the assistant stated on July 14, 2012, an ED admitting clerk intended to fax a face sheet belonging to an ED patient to an insurance company for eligibility and benefit information. She stated instead of faxing the intended patient's face sheet, she faxed the face sheet for Patient 1 instead.The face sheet for Patient 1 was reviewed on July 23, 2013. The face sheet contained the following PHI:1. Name;2. Age;3. DOB;4. Address;5. Telephone number;6. Account number;7. MRN;8. Date of service;9. Diagnosis; and,10. Insurance information, including eligibility and amount of coverage.The facility policy titled, "Access of Individuals to Protected Health Information," was reviewed on July 23, 2013. The policy indicated each staff member responsible for preparing health records for their department must verify the documents being sent were for the correct patient before releasing them.The ED clerk did not verify the face sheet was for the correct patient before faxing it to the insurance company.

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

10 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 2ED111.01, 8G5S11.01, 9YWG11.01, BZS911.01, HJXM11.01, IHRI11.01, ND7111.01, QBNY11.01, SO0211.01, U4IJ11.01