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 a violation of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on August 28, 2014. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: ESRW11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure all patient protected health information (PHI) was kept protected, which resulted in the unauthorized access of the patient's confidential information (Patient 1). Patient 1's confidential information was given to Patient 2 by a Medical Assistant at one of the facility's clinics on August 19, 2014. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 1's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On August 28, 2014, at 9:25 a.m., an interview was conducted with the Deputy Information Privacy Officer (DIPO). She stated: a. On August 19, 2014, Patient 2 was seen at a facility clinic and the Medical Assistant gave Patient 2 a requisition for Laboratory Tests.b. On August 19, 2014, Patient 2 returned to the facility clinic in the afternoon with the Laboratory Test Requisition Form and stated the Laboratory Test Requisition Form which she had been given earlier in the day belonged to another patient (Patient 1). c. Patient 1 had also been seen at the facility's clinic on August 19, 2014.d. The Medical Assistant at the facility's clinic did not follow the facility's practice for verifying all documents as belonging to the patient prior to giving a document to Patient 2, on August 19, 2014. Patient 2 received and had an opportunity to view Patient 1's PHI, which included name, identification number, date of birth, address, telephone number, physician's name, diagnosis, insurance information to include policy numbers, and laboratory tests ordered.Patient 1 was informed of the disclosure of her protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on August 26, 2014, to her last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile received on August 26, 2014, and a letter dated and mailed on August 26, 2014, of the unauthorized access of Patient 1's PHI.The facility policy and procedure titled "Information Privacy," reviewed/revised January 2, 2014, revealed "... (facility name) will take all necessary steps to avoid unauthorized or unlawful access, use or disclosure of protected health information ... Whenever possible, the Information Privacy Officer will contact the individual or organization to whom the information was inappropriately or unlawfully accessed, used or released and requested that no further access, use or disclosure of the information is made and to return or destroy the information. The Information Privacy Officer will contact the Department of Public Health and report the breach within (5) five days of discovery. The Information Privacy Officer will contact the patient within (5) five days of discovery to inform him or her of the unauthorized access, use of disclosure and the plan or step's taken to mitigate it. ..."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280